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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'It didn't break me': How Caleb Plant turned a life of immense hardship into 'a badge of honor'
LAS VEGAS — It's the early 2000s and Caleb Plant is just a boy. He gets food from social services and witnesses foreclosure papers from a young age. He frequently moves from trailer to trailer, never knowing stability. He saves up money from school, 'a dollar here and there,' so that he can get himself, and his sister Madeline, something that will provide greater sustenance than the canned goods donated to the Bethesda Center in Ashland City, Tennessee. He is only 9 years old and he's already seen hardship that other kids with PlayStations and Xbox consoles won't be able to relate to. 'There are some families that are more middle class, some who are below middle class … and we were below that,' Plant tells Uncrowned ahead of his return to the ring. Advertisement On Saturday, Plant fights Jose Armando Resendiz atop a Premier Boxing Champions on Prime Video PPV card at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. It's not the first time his name has decorated billboards across the famed Las Vegas Boulevard, more commonly referred to as the Strip. Plant is a staple in the fight capital of the world. He's married, has a growing family, and invests in the NFL, real estate, and stocks. He drives a '72 Chevelle and an Impala. He has a ridiculous sneaker collection. It's a far cry from his past, when he struggled through life in Ashland City. When Plant was in class, he'd doodle over pieces of paper, rather than focus on his studies. 'Why ain't you doing your work?' One teacher asked a 9-year-old Caleb. 'What are you doing?' Advertisement 'I'm practicing my autograph,' he said. 'For what?' 'I'm going to be a world champion one day.' 'Well,' the teacher said, 'You need a Plan B. What if that don't work out?' Plant played football, and loved it. He excelled in sports. But as soon as he started boxing, he didn't want to do anything else. 'There's honor in all work,' he says, but as he has ADHD, he knew he'd never be able to sit at a desk for an office job, nor stand for an extended period of time packing groceries. He knew he was born to fight. 'I don't need a Plan B,' he told the teacher. 'It's going to work.' Almost 20 years later, Plant — by this time an American success story — had already won the IBF super middleweight championship, and brought a pro fight to his home state for the first time in his career in 2020. He outclassed Vincent Feigenbutz from the opening bell, and forced a referee's stoppage in the 10th round at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Advertisement That teacher, the one who told him he'd need a Plan B, attended. 'Damn, if he didn't go out and do it,' she said. Caleb Plant poses with his IBF championship belt after defeating Vincent Feigenbutz at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. () (Brett Carlsen via Getty Images) Nothing ever came easy for Plant. Even after leaving Ashland City at age 21, and moving to West Nashville, hardship continued to follow his life. His 19-month-old daughter, Alia, passed away in her mother's arms in 2015. She had seizures since birth. 'Shortly after that, her mom left,' Plant says. He then lost his apartment. 'Things were going downhill for me.' Plant, a 5-0 pro at the time, told Alia before she died that he'd become a world champion. But he knew he still needed to get his life together. 'I was making money through boxing, and other ways, and I felt my career was taking off,' he says. 'I didn't want to jeopardize that. So I stopped making money from other ways, and moved to my friend's house. It was right down the street from the gym. I can't let this opportunity slip.' Advertisement It's sometimes 'a little heavy' for Plant to look back at his earlier life. 'If my life was one big f***-up, then that s*** would be a lot heavier as it would be one more thing added to the list,' he says. 'But I went out and made it happen." 'I made it through that. It didn't break me. I could have folded, quit, stayed in a futon inside an abandoned office building, not having a lot of food. Being in the trailer, being the kid in the middle of nowhere, nobody boxed there, and so nobody thought I'd make it. I pulled up to national tournaments and nobody thought I'd be here. 'I did my thing.' Advertisement It's 'a badge of honor' that he's taken into his high-profile fights, regardless of whether it's a marquee match against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in 2021, which he lost, his comeback knockout win over Anthony Dirrell the following year, or subsequent showdowns against David Benavidez and Trevor McCumby. It's a badge of honor he'll take into the Resendiz fight, too. Caleb Plant is never one to back down. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports) (USA TODAY Sports / Reuters) Plant's story is as relevant in 2025 as it was when he first told it. The United States' tariffs were ever-present in the news on the same day Uncrowned spoke to the fighter. 'The higher tariffs will result in higher prices' for consumers, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a recent earnings call to investors. MSNBC reported that the price increases hurt low-income Americans in rural areas the most. The Budget Lab of Yale shows the tariffs disproportionately affects 'clothing and textiles, with apparel prices rising 17%.' Rents are also rising in numerous markets, per CBS . Advertisement 'Poor is poor, regardless of what year you're in,' Plant says. 'It's not an easy thing. It's stressful.' The fighter has a message for anyone experiencing hardship in 2025, like he did from birth in 1992 through to the mid-2000s. 'You can chase money all day long and it'll keep running and running [away]," he says. "Maybe you just keep skating by. The real secret to being successful is creating a skill. Becoming good at something. And it needs to be something you love. Because eventually it'll get hard, something will get in the way. It's raining, your car is messed up. And so if you don't love it, you'll end up quitting. Because it's too hard. So you have to find something you love. Being in the trailer, being the kid in the middle of nowhere, nobody boxed there, and so nobody thought I'd make it. I pulled up to national tournaments and nobody thought I'd be here. Caleb Plant 'And you gotta keep cultivating that skill until you're really good at it. Then the money will come to you. 'Oh man, we need you for your skill. We'll pay you this.' You build your reputation and move up the ladder. That's only the way to beat that. 'I'm going to work this job, get a second job, a third job.' You're just going to run yourself into the ground. Advertisement 'You gotta create skill, and create a way to let people know you have that skill so the money comes to you.' Hardship no longer follows Plant as severely as it once did. He wants to handle his business on May 31, 'and keep moving forward after that.' 'If everything works out like it's supposed to," he says, "we have a big fight at the end of the year.' That big fight may well be against Jermall Charlo, who co-features in the end-of-the-month show alongside Plant, against Thomas LaManna. Should that fight come together, then few should bet against Plant because, damn, just ask his school teacher. He may well just go out and do it again.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
PlayStation fans save £95 on PS5 that delivers 'stunningly smooth visuals'
When it comes to gaming, Sony is one of the leading tech companies for consoles. Their PlayStations have been among the best in the business for decades, and many people want to make sure they have the latest model to take their gaming experience to the next level. For those who are looking to make a well-needed upgrade, Amazon has just slashed the price of the latest Sony console - the PlayStation 5. Shoppers have said that this console boasts a noticable difference compared to its predecessor, the PS4, and that it delivers "stunningly smooth visuals". Released in 2020, the PS5 normally retails for £479.99. However, Amazon shoppers can now snap it up for £383.95 in a limited time deal after it was given a 20 per cent discount. Said to "unleash new gaming possibilities", Sony has managed to pack powerful gaming technology into the sleek and compact console of the PS5 With lightning fast loading due to its ultra-high speed SSD, shoppers will be marvel at the incredible graphics this machine features. Additionally, tech lovers will also get to experience their game surroundings "truly come alive" as the console is equipped with Tempest 3D Audio Tech. However, this is only applicable to supported games such as Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Gran Turismo 7. On top of this, Sony promises users will be able harness the might of a custom CPU, GPU and SSD that should deliver breathtaking graphics and smooth gameplay. For those who want to take their gaming to the next level, this would be the deal for you. Alternatively, Amazon is also selling a renewed version of the PlayStation 4 for £139.99. With a large 500GB HHD, this console also comes with a dualshock 4 wireless controller. Many shoppers have said that the consoles they received were of great quality and only had a few scratches. For those looking for something that can be hand held, Argos is selling the Nintendo Switch OLED Console for £299.99. Released in 2021, the device allows gamers to play at any time, anywhere and with anyone. With a 7-inch OLED screen, games will be delivered in vibrant quality so users don't miss a detail. Back to the PS5, more than 800 Amazon shoppers have bought the device in the last 30 days and the console has earned itself a 4.6 star rating from over 1,800 reviews. One highly satisfied shopper said: "The PlayStation 5 Slim has been a fantastic addition to my gaming setup. Coming from the standard PS4, the difference in performance is noticeable right away. Games load incredibly fast, and the visuals are stunning. "I've been playing games like Demon's Souls and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and the level of detail and smooth frame rates are impressive. The compact design of the Slim version is a big plus for me, as it fits much better in my entertainment centre compared to the larger original model." Another shopper added: "The PlayStation 5 Slim is a fantastic upgrade from the original PS4. It's sleeker, lighter, and more compact, making it easier to fit into any entertainment setup. The performance remains top-notch with fast load times and stunning graphics. "The modular design, including a removable disc drive, adds great flexibility. While it's still a bit pricey, it's a worthwhile investment for any gamer looking to enhance their gaming experience." However, one reviewer cautioned that they may be better deals elsewhere, writing: "Great console - but you won't get the free 24-month premium voucher (worth £200+) from buying here so probably better to order from Sony or another retailer directly in the long run." While another customer came across a problem: "Controller stopped working within a year, issue did not get resolved by seller. Without a controller, my ps5 is pointless. Controller sticks feel very loose after only a short time using them." Despite this, another shopper praised: "Absolute joy. Fast, incredibly quiet, and beautifully designed. Games load instantly, and the visuals are stunningly smooth, bringing gaming immersion to a whole new level. If you're thinking about upgrading, do not hesitate; this console is phenomenal!" Another five-star reviewer said: "You immediately notice the difference between this and the PS4, particularly in loading times. The visual difference comes more when paired with a 4K TV/Monitor. "Also fan is quiet, only sometimes the disc drive can be loud when copying a game disc (which can be fixed, as far as I'm aware). Even so, if you are a gamer I'd get this. A clear improvement on its predecessor." Click HERE to buy the PlayStation5.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots sex beasts at Barlinnie Prison moved to cushy landing for low risk cons
Some cons on the wing have their own cell keys while others have 24-hour phone access and PlayStations FIENDS WING 'BURSTING' Scots sex beasts at Barlinnie Prison moved to cushy landing for low risk cons Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEX beasts at Barlinnie Prison are being moved to a cushy landing housing low risk cons who are set for early release. Jail sources say bosses have been forced into making the switch because the nick's fiends wing is 'bursting at the seams'. 3 Sex beasts at Barlinnie Prison are being moved to a cushy landing housing low risk cons Credit: Alamy 3 Depraved "Beastie House" ringleader Iain Owens is in the Glasgow prison It comes as the notorious Glasgow prison is currently accommodating a host of sickos — including the 'Beastie House' paedophile ring and its depraved ringleader Iain Owens, 46. A series of sex offenders are now in the jail's comfortable Letham Hall due to the overcrowding issue. A source said: 'Nobody wants to be banged up alongside a filthy beast. 'Some of these prisoners set for early release would jump at the chance to attack a paedo. 'However, they know that one wrong step could jeopardise their freedom. The only light at the end of the tunnel is the thought of getting out, and they wouldn't risk that. 'But there are a few unhappy faces on the landings, even the screws are fed-up of it.' Letham Hall is more relaxed and boasts a nice garden, games area and welcoming spots where lags can socialise. Some cons on the wing have their own cell keys while others have 24-hour phone access and PlayStations. The sex offender overcrowding issue was last night branded 'alarming'. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'This is a direct consequence of the SNP's mismanagement of our prison estate. SNP ministers have been missing in action rather than delivering the prison capacity Scotland requires. Brit woman, 21, rotting in Dubai hellhole jail without a shower for a month after being arrested on drugs charges 'This is a problem entirely of the SNP's making — they've had 18 years to create sufficient capacity and have failed miserably.' A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: "We have been managing an extremely high and complex population for more than a year, with nine prisons now at red risk status. "Our staff have worked exceptionally hard to maximise all possible space and ensure we continue to meet the risks and needs of those in our care. "However, this has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and opportunities."
Metro
17-05-2025
- Metro
The truth is digital video game downloads are better than physical games
A reader argues that people are overstating the downsides of buying video games digitally and that there's good reason it's become so popular. I feel like all the benefits of digital gaming are increasingly dismissed, without acknowledgement that it's getting to the point where this insistence that it's solely limited to 'getting up to change discs' feels like some sort of deliberate and reductive propaganda. I'm not a champion of digital by any means. The fact that my digital game collection is now far bigger than my physical one went almost unnoticed by me at first. But I think if you want to understand a market, you need to acknowledge the facts and the nuances of the situation instead of relying on emotion driven instinct. Digital stores feel much more present and accessible than physical ones, whether through dedicated apps, comms channels or the console dashboard giving full exposure. The near constant and extremely generous sales means we're more likely to become aware of good deals and to make spontaneous purchases than if we had to browse separate websites or walk into a shop at our own discretion. It can't stop with visibility and advertising, though. Digital game sharing is a major feature on all platforms, not only as some sort of loophole but something officially publicised in detail by all the platform holders. If I buy a game digitally, my sharing partner gets it (immediately and permanently) for free and vice versa. If we're organised, every full priced game we both want is half price on day one. This, and the constant sales have led to a huge inflation of each of our digital backlogs with very little (if any) noticeable impact on our spending. Where does a wider trend like that lead? An onus on platform holders to make backwards compatibility a universal standard. In hindsight it's almost absurd to think the previous PlayStations and Xboxes had no backwards compatibility, or even that there was much doubt that the Switch 2 would offer it. And yet now we all have big backlogs because we're buying more games without necessarily spending more, and various aspects of digital creep have contributed to that. In earlier generational transitions I doubt most of us would have cared at all if we could keep access to whatever we were leaving behind but now a failure to offer backwards compatibility would be a huge source of controversy. Ultimately, people who insist they're 'priced out of gaming', because of digital distribution or anything other than escalating hardware costs, are either sorely mistaken or they're deliberately inaccurate. At worst what they really mean is they're priced out of buying AAA games on the day of their release, on the basis that they now have to commit to that spending. I appreciate the argument that if everyone waits for sales of digital games because they don't want to pay full price for something they can't sell on – or even if half as many people buy games on day one because of game sharing – that could be problematic for the commercial performance of new games. But constant on-selling would equate to much less new money being injected into the market anyway. I don't see it being any better if a customer can quickly consume three or four (or 10) games on day one for just £60-£80, that was paid months or years ago, compared to if they bought that many games at that cost in total a while after release. Hype and fear of missing out will continue to fuel day one spending on a lot of AAA games but those phenomena on their own don't entitle us to all games ASAP without us contributing much to the market. More Trending I'm not going to claim there's no downside to the physical market being phased out. Aside from the ability for us to recoup some spending, I can imagine how sharply brick and mortar stores have had to pivot in order to survive. But, bottom line, digital gaming wouldn't have been so successful if the businesses responsible weren't offering clear benefits. So the idea that it's just about appealing to our laziness is itself a lazy (not to mention reductive and disingenuous) take. By reader Panda The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: I don't like the look of GTA 6 and I'm not afraid to admit it - Reader's Feature MORE: Why I sold my Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order – Reader's Feature MORE: Video game companies are lying to us about everything - Reader's Feature
CNET
14-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
CNET's Daily Tariff Price Tracker: Prices Steady as Forecast Remains Grim
The Trump administration eased up somewhat on its tariffs against China this week, dropping the overall rates from 145% to 30% for 90 days -- till Aug. 10 -- while deeper trade negotiations continue. While these moves will go some way to averting an economic war, the rates against China are still historically high and reports continue to emerge suggesting price hikes for everything from cars to PlayStations. In this article, we're closely tracking the effect of President Donald Trump's tariffs on the prices of 11 popular products you might want or need to buy, whether it be a new phone, laptop or your daily coffee. So far, we've seen notable price hikes for the flagship Xbox game console, while everything else has either remained steady aside from occasional fluctuations that might not be tariff-related. That sort of consistency is far from certain, however, especially with new reports emerging that Apple might be looking to make iPhones more expensive this year. The agreement with China, much-hyped by the White House, did significantly cut tariff rates against are biggest trading partner, the new 30% rate is only temporary and still historically high, it just looks better next to the ludicrous 145% rate that was previously in place. As those negotiations move along, companies continue to warn of impending price hikes in order to deal with the new tariffs, including Sony, which could potentially mean a price hike for its ever-popular PlayStation 5 consoles. We'll be updating this article regularly as prices change. It's all in the name of helping you make sense of things, so be sure to check back every so often. For more, check out CNET's guide to whether you should wait to make big purchases or buy them now and get expert tips about how to prepare for a recession. Watch this: Should You Buy Now or Wait? Our Experts Weigh In on Tariffs 09:42 Methodology We're checking prices daily and will update the article and the relevant charts right away to reflect any changes. The following charts show a single bullet point for each month, with the most recent one labeled "Now" and showing the current price. For the past months, we've gone with what was the most common price for each item in the given month. In most cases, the price stats used in these graphs were pulled from Amazon using the historical price tracker tool Keepa. For the iPhones, the prices come from Apple's official materials and are based on the 128-gigabyte base model of the latest offering for each year: the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. For the Xbox Series X, the prices were sourced from Best Buy using the tool PriceTracker. If any of these products happen to be on sale at a given time, we'll be sure to let you know and explain how those price drops differ from longer-term pricing trends that tariffs can cause. The 11 products we're tracking Mostly what we're tracking in this article are electronic devices and digital items that CNET covers in depth, like iPhones and affordable 4K TVs -- along with a typical bag of coffee, a more humble product that isn't produced in the US to any significant degree. The products featured were chosen for a few reasons: Some of them are popular and/or affordable representatives for major consumer tech categories, like smartphones, TVs and game consoles. Others are meant to represent things that consumers might buy more frequently, like printer ink or coffee beans. Some products were chosen over others because they are likely more susceptible to tariffs. Some of these products have been reviewed by CNET or have been featured in some of our best lists. Below, we'll get into more about each individual product. iPhone 16 The iPhone is the most popular smartphone brand in the US so this was a clear priority for price tracking. The iPhone has also emerged as a major focal point for conversations about tariffs, given its popularity and its susceptibility to import taxes given its overseas production, largely in China. Trump has reportedly been fixated on the idea that the iPhone can and should be manufactured in the US, an idea that experts have dismissed as a fantasy. Estimates have also suggested that a US-made iPhone would cost as much as $3,500. In April, Apple flew bulk shipments of iPhones into the US to get a stockpile here ahead of tariffs kicking in. In recent weeks, reports have indicated that the company is working on moving all manufacturing of US-bound iPhones out of China to India to evade the worst of Trump's tariff agenda. However, it's also been reported that the iPhone 19, planned for release in 2027, will need to stay in China, because of the level of complexity planned for its design, tied to the iPhone line's 20th anniversary. On May 12, further reports emerged suggesting that Apple plans to raise the price of the iPhone with the forthcoming iPhone 17 line, but that it also plans to avoid attributing this to Trump's tariffs. Duracell AA batteries A lot of the tech products in your home might boast a rechargeable energy source but individual batteries are still an everyday essential and I can tell you from experience that as soon as you forget about them, you'll be needing to restock. The Duracell AAs we're tracking are some of the bestselling batteries on Amazon. Samsung DU7200 TV Alongside smartphones, televisions are some of the most popular tech products out there, even if for any given household, they're an infrequent purchase. This particular product is a popular entry-level 4K TV and was CNET's pick for best overall budget TV for 2025. Unlike a lot of tech products that have key supply lines in China, Samsung is a South Korean company, so it might have some measure of tariff resistance. In recent days, this model has fluctuated from $400, where its been for most of the year so far, and $470, where it sits today. These fluctuations don't seem to be influenced by tariffs, at least for the time being. Xbox Series X Video game software and hardware are a market segment expected to be hit hard by the Trump tariffs. Microsoft's Xbox is the first console brand to see price hikes -- the company cited "market conditions" along with the rising cost of development. Most notably, this included an increase in the price of the flagship Xbox Series X, up from $500 to $600. Numerous Xbox accessories were also affected, and the company also said that "certain" games will eventually see a price hike from $70 to $80. Initially, we were tracking the price of the much more popular Nintendo Switch as a representative of the gaming market. Nintendo has not yet hiked the price of its handheld-console hybrid and stressed that the $450 price tag of the upcoming Switch 2 has not yet been inflated because of tariffs. Sony, meanwhile, has so far only increased prices on its PlayStation hardware in markets outside the US. AirPods Pro 2 The latest iteration of Apple's wildly popular true-wireless earbuds are here to represent the headphone market. Much to the chagrin of the audiophiles out there, a quick look at sales charts on Amazon shows you just how much the brand dominates all headphone sales. The AirPods Pro 2 have hovered steadily around $200 on Amazon in 2025, but were on sale for $169 the first few days of May before jumping back up. HP 962 CMY printer ink This HP printer ink includes cyan, magenta and yellow all in one product and recently saw its price jump from around $72 -- where it stayed for most of 2025 -- to $80, which is around its highest price over the last five years. We will be keeping tabs to see if this is a long-term change or a brief uptick. This product replaced Overture PLA Filament for 3D printers in this piece, but we're still tracking that item. Anker 10,000-mAh, 30-watt power bank Anker's accessories are perennially popular in the tech space and the company has already announced that some of its products will get more expensive as a direct result of tariffs. This specific product has also been featured in some of CNET's lists of the best portable chargers. While the price has remained steady throughout the year, it is currently on sale for $16 on Amazon, but only for Prime members. Bose TV speaker Soundbars have become important purchases, given the often iffy quality of the speakers built into TVs. While not the biggest or the best offering in the space, the Bose TV Speaker is one of the more affordable soundbar options out there, especially hailing from a brand as popular as Bose. Oral-B Pro 1000 electric toothbrush They might be a lot more expensive than their traditional counterparts, but electric toothbrushes remain a popular choice for consumers because of how well they get the job done. I know my dentist won't let up on how much I need one. This particular Oral-B offering was CNET's overall choice for the best electric toothbrush for 2025. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Lenovo is notable among the big laptop manufacturers for being a Chinese company making its products especially susceptible to Trump's tariffs. Starbucks Ground Coffee (28-ounce bag) Coffee is included in this tracker because of its ubiquity -- I'm certainly drinking too much of it these days -- and because it's uniquely susceptible to Trump's tariff agenda. Famously, coffee beans can only be grown within a certain distance from Earth's equator, a tropical span largely outside the US and known as the "Coffee Belt." Hawaii is the only part of the US that can produce coffee beans, with data from USAFacts showing that 11.5 million pounds were harvested there in the 2022-23 season -- little more than a drop in the mug, as the US consumed 282 times that amount of coffee during that period. Making matters worse, Hawaiian coffee production has declined in the past few years. All that to say: Americans get almost all of their coffee from overseas, making it one of the most likely products to see price hikes from tariffs.
