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Caleb Plant beats Jose Uzcategui on points to become IBF super-middleweight champion

Caleb Plant in black trunks lands a punch against Jose Uzcategui in the sixth round during the IBF Super Middleweight Championship 12 round match at Microsoft Theater on January 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Plant won by unanimous decision
Image: Caleb Plant lands a punch against Jose Uzcategui in the sixth round at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles

Caleb Plant continued his unbeaten streak as he defeated Jose Uzcategui by unanimous decision to become IBF super-middleweight champion.

American Plant knocked Uzcategui down twice as he dominated the early rounds then faded over the last few but managed to hold on for the crown at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Heading into the bout, Plant said he was fighting in memory of his 19-month-old daughter, Alia, who died in 2015. She was born with a medical condition that causes seizures.

A tearful Plant was overcome by emotion after the win.

"I have worked my life, 17 years for this," said Plant. "I buried my daughter in the process to get this belt."

Venezuelan Uzcategui was defending his title for the first time after inheriting it in July.

Jose Uzcategui, Lennox Lewis and Caleb Plant attend FOX Sports and Premier Boxing Champions Press Conference Experience on November 13, 2018 in Los Angeles
Image: Plant (pictured with Lennox Lewis) is now a world champion

Britain's James DeGale vacated the IBF title six months ago to pursue bigger-money fights than his mandated bout against Uzcategui.

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Plant, 26, improved to 18-0 with 10 knockouts while Uzcategui dropped to 27-3 with 23 knockouts.

The Tennessee-native knocked the champion down in the second and fourth rounds.

This was the first time Plant had fought for a world title and just the second time he has gone the full 12 rounds.

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