A smooth sail and Al Haymon’s PBC are rarely found in the same sentence. The boxing promotion, which once reigned supreme in the boxing world last decade, is not shying away from experimentation amid fierce competition. They’ve recently ventured into the realm of non-PPV events. However, their inaugural foray into this new format, featuring Caleb Plant vs. Trevor McCumby, has to be pushed back. Are these worrying signs for the promotion?

ESPN’s Mike Coppinger broke the disheartening news to the fans, revealing that the Plant vs. McCumby bout is currently off. The reason? McCumby, 31, suffered an injury during training. Adding to the intrigue, Coppinger mentioned that PBC is exploring the possibility of hosting several non-PPV shows on Amazon Prime Video. This move could be a strategy to draw more viewers and entice them to choose the American streaming platform over competitors like DAZN.

Coppinger wrote on his X-handle, “Caleb Plant was set to fight Trevor McCumby on Aug. 17 in Orlando, Florida, but the bout was postponed after McCumby suffered a cut over his right eye, sources tell ESPN.” In a comment to the post, he added, “PBC planning several Prime Video shows in the fall that won’t appear on PPV.”

The pivotal 168-pound fight was not only set to mark Caleb Plant’s return after a 17-month hiatus but also to thrust him into the title conversation. An interim WBA super middleweight title was at stake, potentially paving the way for a rematch with Canelo Alvarez. Plant may now face a prolonged wait before seeking revenge against the Mexican champion.

On the other hand, it might be troublesome news for the PBC, as their partnership with Amazon Prime hasn’t yielded the desired results. And now they are the only ones out of the frame after HE Turki Alalshikh‘s recent sweep.

PBC’s troubles: Caleb Plant vs. Trevor McCumby delay, Turki Alalshikh’s exclusion of Al Haymon

The PBC has only put on three PPV shows on Amazon Prime till now, and none of them have been PPV blockbusters. Given their roster, which includes stars like Gervonta Davis and David Benavidez, one might question where things went awry. The non-PPV initiative aims to maintain momentum, attract viewers, and position Amazon Prime as a superior streaming option. However, this endeavor may need to be put on hold. Why? The PBC has decided to shelve the event entirely instead of substituting McCumby.

Contrarily, HE Alalshikh has inked new deals with Golden Boy and Top, leaving only the PBC behind. Saudi Arabia is already a hub for Queensberry and Matchroom, and with these new agreements, they are targeting American fans. Yet, PBC finds itself sidelined. Is it a worrying sign for Al Haymon? As rival promotions continue to stage high-profile fights, being the odd one out could be detrimental.

What do you make of this coming fight between Caleb Plant and Trevor McCumby? How do you think it will affect the PBC’s deal with Amazon Prime? Let us know in the comments below.