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Mike Coppinger brings word that newly crowned IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant has his first assignment: Mike Lee, who will be dropping down from 175 pounds to fight “Sweethands” on July 20th.
The news comes as Plant (18-0, 10 KO) is dealing with further tragedy, as his mother was shot and killed over the weekend by a police deputy whom she reportedly “brandished a knife at.” He was last seen overpowering Jose Uzcategui to win the title in January.
Lee (21-0, 11 KO) is known less for his (limited) accomplishments in the ring as for his partnership with Subway and status as a Notre Dame alumnus. His highest-ranked opponent on BoxRec is Chris Traietti, the website’s #118 light heavyweight, whom Lee defeated by decision in 2016.
He won a decision Jose Hernandez for a WBO NABO trinket back in June.
Plant does not currently have a mandatory contender, his top challenger being #3 Vincent Feigenbutz. Honestly, I’m cool with Lee if Vinny is the other option.