Dirrell Doesn’t Care What People Think; He’s ‘Here To Prove To Myself That I Still Have It’

Anthony Dirrell doesn’t care what oddsmakers, reporters or followers consider his probabilities when he packing containers Caleb Plant on October 15.

The previous WBC tremendous middleweight champion is totally assured that he has yet another title run left in him through the twilight of his profession. Plant, a youthful former IBF champion who has misplaced solely to Canelo Alvarez, is constantly listed as a 10-1 favourite to defeat Dirrell of their FOX Sports activities Pay-Per-View co-feature at Barclays Heart in Brooklyn.

“The Canine” doesn’t view himself as an underdog, although.

“I don’t care about Caleb Plant and I don’t care what he says,” Dirrell mentioned. “If I’m going in there and battle as much as my capabilities, I’ll come out victorious for positive. I’m doing this for myself. If you happen to’re doing it for one thing apart from your self and your loved ones, then you definately’re doing it unsuitable, I feel. I’m right here to show to myself that I nonetheless have it. I don’t care what folks assume or say. So long as I preserve positivity in my circle, then I’ll be superb.”

Dirrell (34-2-2, 25 KOs) will flip 38 the day earlier than he opposes Plant on the Deontay Wilder-Robert Helenius undercard. The Flint, Michigan native is simply 1-1-1 in his previous three fights and he hasn’t fought a championship-caliber boxer since David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) knocked him out within the ninth spherical to regain the WBC 168-pound crown from Dirrell three years in the past at Staples Heart in Los Angeles.

He’ll finish practically a one-year layoff when he battles Plant. Dirrell drilled Marcos Hernandez (15-6-2, 3 KOs) with a proper uppercut that emphatically ended their battle within the fourth spherical on the Alvarez-Plant undercard final November 6 at MGM Grand Backyard Area in Las Vegas.

Plant (21-1, 12 KOs), of Ashland Metropolis, Tennessee, hasn’t fought for the reason that night time he misplaced Alvarez, both. The 30-year-old Plant was aggressive at occasions with Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs), the Mexican famous person who finally stopped Plant within the eleventh spherical of their full title unification battle.

“I’m not even actually fascinated by Caleb and what he does, actually,” Dirrell mentioned. “I solely noticed Caleb’s battle in opposition to Canelo once I was on the enviornment, bits and items of it. We all know what Caleb does and we all know what he brings to the desk. All I fear about is what I can do as a fighter.”

After the 12-round bout between Plant and Dirrell, Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Finland’s Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) will sq. off in FOX Sports activities Pay-Per-View’s fundamental occasion ($74.99). Wilder, who will finish a one-year layoff, hasn’t boxed since British rival Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) viciously knocked him out within the eleventh spherical of their third WBC heavyweight title battle final October 9 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.

Keith Idec is a senior author/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He could be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.