Caleb Plant is perplexed by the animosity Anthony Dirrell has directed toward him.

An angered Dirrell continually called out Plant during a contentious press conference August 30 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The former WBC super middleweight champion questioned Plant’s resume and noted that his upcoming opponent also is disliked by the other fighters in their division.

Plant made it clear he doesn’t have any history with Dirrell, who will oppose Plant in a 12-round, 168-pound co-feature before heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius square off in the 12-round main event of a FOX Sports Pay-Per-View show October 15 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“To me, Dirrell was the one who was tense at our press conference,” Plant said during an open workout that took place recently in Las Vegas. “He was getting frustrated and getting loud and couldn’t think of anything to say. What I took away is that I’m on his mind. I feel like I’m living rent-free in his head. He knows he has a top-quality opponent in front of him and someone he can’t mess with. I don’t know where his head’s at, but I know where mine is and I’m ready to rock.”

The 30-year-old Plant will end an 11-month layoff against Dirrell. Canelo Alvarez stopped Plant in the 11th round of his most recent bout, a 168-pound championship unification fight last November 6 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Alvarez was clearly the best opponent Plant has fought in 21 professional bouts. Plant was behind by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 when Alvarez dropped him twice during the 11th round and beat him by technical knockout.

“I’m just looking to make a statement and put on a big show,” Plant said. “I’m coming off the big fight against Canelo Alvarez, and I’ve just been training hard. Ever since that fight, my team has been in the dungeon and we can’t wait for the bell to ring, so we can show the world what we’re working on.”

Plant has added a new trainer, BoxingScene.com contributor Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, to his team for this fight.

Dirrell (34-2-2, 25 KOs), who will turn 38 the day before he opposes Plant (21-1, 12 KOs), will end an 11-month layoff as well. The Flint, Michigan native last fought on the Alvarez-Plant undercard, when he knocked out Marcos Hernandez (15-6-2, 3 KOs) in the fourth round.

“Regardless of who it is in the ring, it’s just somebody who’s in the way of my goals and what I set out to do,” Plant said. “If you’re in my way, I take that personally. I’m not just disciplined during camp. I’m working like this year-round.”

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