Undefeated Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (14-0, 10 KOs) dropped and dominated Colombia’s Juan De Angel (18-5-1, 17 KOs) on his way to a unanimous decision victory Tuesday night in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions Toe to Toe Tuesdays from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
The Nashville-native was able to keep his perfect record intact and was in control from start to finish of his first 10-round bout. Plant was patient in the early rounds, looking to find the distance against his power-punching opponent.
Plant’s offense began to break through in round three and in round four he caught De Angel lingering in the pocket and dropped him with a left hook. De Angel got to his feet but was never able to get his own offense going and spent much of the night trying to tie up the more aggressive Plant.
In the ninth round, a clash of heads caused a temporary halt in the action and saw Plant emerge with a cut on his head. Plant was able to battle through and and kept his momentum going throughout the remainder of the fight.
Plant was twice as accurate as De Angel and landed 30 percent of his punches compared to 15 percent from De Angel. The judges saw the bout the same and all scored it 100-89 after 10-rounds of super middleweight action.
The co-main event of the night saw a pair of Washington, D.C. welterweights do battle as David Grayton (15-1, 11 KOs) earned a victory over previously unbeaten Kareem Martin (8-1-1, 3 KOs) via a stoppage in the eighth and final round.
The southpaw Grayton pressed forward early and often, looking to disrupt Martin and keep him uncomfortable. Martin was sharp early on, especially with right hand counters. He was the more accurate fighter over the first three rounds, but the experience of Grayton began to take over.
As the fight went on, Grayton’s attack gained effectiveness and Martin appeared to wear down from the constant pace. Grayton out threw Martin 537 to 308 and landed 172 punches to Martin’s 106.
Grayton took control of the fight in the sixth round, hurting Martin early with a blistering body attack and rocked him late in the round with crisp uppercuts. By round eight, Martin had faded and Grayton sensed his moment. A left hand to the body dropped Martin early, and while he beat the count, Grayton quickly pounced and delivered a flurry that caused referee Benjy Esteves Jr. to stop the fight 41 seconds into the round.
Two-time Ecuadorian Olympian Carlos Gongora (6-0, 5 KOs)started the telecast off with an impressive first round stoppage of previously unbeaten Ronald Mixon (7-1, 6 KOs) in their light heavyweight clash.
Gongora wasted little time, feinting a right hook and following with a thudding overhand left that put Mixon on the mat immediately. The knockdown prompted referee Gary Rosato to wave off the count and stop the bout 1:16 into the first round.
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:
CALEB PLANT
“It’s another win in the bag. I had bounce in my legs for all 10 rounds. I was taking my time in there and I feel like I’m getting better each fight.
“I’ll fight whoever my team has lined up for me. It feels great to win as a headliner. We’re going to get right back in the gym and get ready for another fight.”
JUAN DE ANGEL
“I felt the size difference in the ring. I trained for a southpaw and he came out righty. That caught me off guard. He was better tonight.”
DAVID GRAYTON
“I was very motivated to perform well coming off of my loss. I wanted it more tonight and I wanted to make a statement to get back to where I belong.
“I knew I had him hurt late in the fight and I kept hitting him with left hands. I stepped it up and got him out of there.
“I’m going to go back to the gym and train hard and wait for my next fight.”
KAREEM MARTIN
“I lost a little focus and he caught me with a good shot that led to the stoppage.
“It was a good back and forth fight. We were both getting a lot of shots in. I just need to come back with more focus next time.”
CARLOS GONGORA
“I was prepared and I analyzed his style and how he would fight. I knew I just had to connect with the right punch.
“I want to dedicate this victory to my family and my whole country. It was a pleasure to do it on FS1 and FOX Deportes.
“I am going straight to the top and I appreciate this opportunity to show the world who I am.”
