Trevor McCumby says Caleb Plant is a “prima donna” and a “crybaby” with his “delusional” narrative about calling him out for a fight Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. McCumby points out that Plant picked him out of three or four fighters for the fight. He wanted him.
(Source: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs) believes former IBF super middleweight champion Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) is a quitter and believes he will give up when their 12-round fight for the WBA interim 168-pound title gets tough.
McCumby’s quitting comment likely comes from how Plant began talking to Canelo in the later rounds of their November 2021 fight. It sounded like Plant was trying to befriend him so he would go uncomplicated on him and show him mercy. Canelo didn’t go for it and knocked Plant out in the 11th round.
Hopefully Plant doesn’t misbehave during the weigh-in confrontation, because it would be bad if either he or McCumby got hurt before the fight on Saturday night. Plant’s been acting a bit superior lately, sounds like he wants to pick fights with people.
McCumby believes Plant has anger management issues and suspects the millions he made from the Canelo Alvarez fight have given him a warped view of his talent.
McCumby, a 14-year veteran, is finally getting his chance at a gigantic fight and he intends to make the most of it by knocking out Plant in the eighth or ninth round.
“I’ve wanted a chance my whole career. I didn’t get one in the first half of my career. Now I’m getting one,” Trevor McCumby told mediasaying that he finally managed to have an crucial fight in the 14th year of his professional career.
“I called out three or four other names in that calling video. So I think Caleb is a little delusional. He creates a narrative in his head that I’m the bad guy and that I called him out. I called him out, but you decided to fight me. I’m not in that position. He knows that.
“He’s going to keep crying about fighting me. He chose me. He had four other names. He chose me. So I don’t know,” McCumby said of Plant.
It’s weird that Plant is making such a gigantic deal about fighting him. He should have just told the media he chose McCumby because no one would have called him out for it. Plant doesn’t fight that often anymore. He stopped fighting a long time after the Canelo fight.
Some believe that the $10 million Plant received for the Canelo fight took away his ambition and lack of hunger for success that he had before he became opulent.
“Eight or nine,” McCumby said of when he plans to stop Plant. “He’s a whiner. He’s a prima donna. That’s why I’ve trained so demanding in this camp. He’ll see what I come in with on Saturday,” McCumby said when asked if he thinks Plant is ignoring him.
If McCumby knocks out Plant, it could be the end for him, as he would have to give up his shallow dream of a rematch with Canelo. Assuming Plant takes a year and a half off after the loss, he wouldn’t have enough energy to return in 2026.
“I keep saying I’m going to break his will. I’m going for his heart. I want him to feel like he felt against Canelo. ‘I’m going to lay down because I’m tired and it’s too demanding.'” Also with David [Benavidez]”McCumby said of Plant.
Plant seemed to have physically and mentally given up in both of those fights. He was great for six rounds, but man, he had nothing left to lose after the half.
“I’m going to exploit my size and physicality and let him know who’s boss,” McCumby said of his plans to beat Plant.
We’ve seen in Plant’s fights with Canelo, David Benavidez and Jose Uzcategui that he’s run out of steam after six rounds. Plant is what you’d call a six-round fighter.
He looks like gold for six rounds, but in the second half of his fights he’s just an average Joe. It’s like taking Superman and putting a pile of kryptonite in his face. Plant has nothing left after six rounds and is falling apart quickly.
WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all. To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KO), the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight continental champion, had to withdraw from his scheduled December “stay busy” fight due to a minor injury but now is preparing to fight his biggest rival in what may be the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.
The All-Ireland fight between Donovan, who fights in Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KO) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is scheduled for March 1. “Point of Pride” will headline the Matchroom Boxing card, which will be broadcast live on DAZN from the SES Arena as part of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. Just two fights away, Donovan could win a world title if he defeats Crocker as the IBF mandatory challenger.
“There is something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I will be next,” Donovan declared. “I think turning pro at 19 and now 25 has required a lot of life changes since I turned pro. What matters most is what I learned in the gym, because it was the ups and downs in life – being a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me improve. I improved as a person, which helped me become a better fighter.”
A true fighter from the past, Donovan is currently rated by three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA No. 5, IBF No. 6 and World Boxing Council No. 14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years senior.
“I’m in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head coach/co-manager) and (Up-to-date York lawyer) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I’m where I need to be. To be ranked so high on three major sanctioning bodies is great. I know I won’t stop until I become world champion.
“I’m always at the gym thinking about the next challenge. I say it’s time. I love what I do. I am very grateful to God for being in this situation. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”
“It’s definitely going to be an explosive fight,” commented Up-to-date York attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, resilient Irishmen who have a lot to prove to the world. We were worried about the injury, but we are sure it will not be a problem during the March 1 battle. Paddy is locked down and training difficult under the watchful eye of coach Andy Lee.
Donovan has dedicated several of his recent fights to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity, which provides mental health services across Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline, at 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, as well as support for those grieving as a result of suicide.
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