Caleb is not a spoiled, pampered athlete but a humble, God-fearing young man from Ashland City who did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. “I think without boxing I may have gone down a negative path,” Caleb says. “Several people I knew growing up fell prey to drugs and ended up in jail.” Richie explains that he introduced his son to boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts as a youngster to give him motivation and keep his mind away from any negative influences. “He actually first started with kickboxing, but then turned to boxing,” Richie says. “He was always gifted athletically, so I knew he could be really good. All you have to do is show him something once and he’s got it.” Caleb has endured his share of hardships in his young life, including poverty and most tragically, the loss of his precious daughter Alia, who succumbed to a debilitating illness earlier this year. “I only survived by keeping my faith in God and the support of my family,” he says. “I know she is in heaven and doesn’t have to suffer anymore. Boxing has been like a sanctuary to me from all the trials and tribulations.” In his short professional career, Caleb has fought twice in California, twice in Nevada, once in Illinois, and three times in Pennsylvania. His closeknit team hopes that “Sweet Hands” can unveil his scintillating hand speed and other skills in a bout in Music City and help build a buzz for professional boxing in Nashville. “It is definitely something we all have been talking about,” says Justin. “We want to bring professional boxing back to Nashville in a big, big way.” Hopefully, Justin Gamber and Caleb Plant can bring professional boxing back to Music City with a world title bout. Even if a high-profile bout doesn’t materialize for several years, they’ve already brought boxing back to the city—you just have to drive up the hill on Kentucky Avenue and have the nerve to enter Music City Boxing.
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