TMZ Sports - Page 7

Caleb Plant has something special in store for Trevor McCumby -- an "old-fashioned ass whoopin'" -- after his opponent branded the former champion a "quitter," making things "more personal!"

That's what the 22-2 boxer told TMZ Sports ahead of his WBA interim super middleweight title match with McCumby (28-0, 21 KOs), set to go down on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

It'll be Caleb's first fight since March 2023 (a loss to David Benavidez) ... but Plant says he had the best camp ever and is ready to beat up McCumby for his comments.

Sean Higgins -- the man accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his little brother, Matthew -- made his first appearance in a New Jersey courtroom on Friday ... and he looked upset to hear he'll be spending his upcoming long holiday weekend in jail.

The 43-year-old appeared virtually before a judge ... after he was hit with two charges of death by auto following allegations he drunkenly slammed his Jeep Grand Cherokee into the backs of the Gaudreaus on Thursday night while they were biking on a small roadway in Oldmans Township.

Wearing an anti-suicide smock -- Higgins initially didn't speak much at the hearing ... although when he was informed he would remain behind bars until at least next Thursday -- he seemed dejected.

Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence arrest didn't come out of left field, at least according to people who say they know him and Nikki Bella ... they tell us the relationship has always been "volatile."

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Artem and Nikki's close friends, including their former 'DWTS' cast and crew members, are not entirely shocked by Artem's claims Nikki threw shoes at him during a heated exchange.

We're told Artem and Nikki's marriage has been troubled for some time, and it wasn't exactly a secret to anyone in their orbit.

The tragic deaths of the Gaudreau brothers keeps getting more and more heartbreaking ... Matthew's wife is apparently expecting to deliver the couple's first baby in just a few months.

According to an online registry, Madeline Gaudreau is currently pregnant ... and has been given a due date of Dec. 31, 2024.

In the registry, the couple had been asking family and friends for all kinds of newborn items -- from clothes to dishware -- to help prepare them for their first foray into parenthood.

The radio dispatch from the Artem Chigvintsev domestic violence case reveals ... he did indeed call 911 to request medical assistance, but then added his wife, Nikki Bella, had thrown shoes at him.

TMZ has obtained the dispatch call, in which the dispatcher says, "Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at rp [reporting party]."

The dispatcher notes, "There is a child on scene. Medical en route," adding, "There's an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible."

The sports world is paying tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau following their tragic death at the hands of a drunk driver Thursday night in New Jersey.

Mike Trout -- a South Jersey native like the brothers -- said he was devastated by the news of their passing ... and that his condolences were with his family.

Lebron James also commented on the situation ... saying, "Insane man! I instantly go so down and sad."

Mercedes Moné has plenty of challengers for her AEW Women's championship and her NJPW Strong Women's Championship ... and Megan Thee Stallion could be one of 'em!

Meg could be friend or foe ... but bottom line is the AEW star tells TMZ Sports she hopes to wrestle with or against the hip-hop superstar!

We caught up with the champ-champ stateside fresh off her title defense at AEW All In London -- and ahead of her title defense Friday night at Capital Collision. While Mercedes says she's locked in for her matchup tonight, she also floated the idea of stepping into the ring with the "WAP" singer.

Nikki Bella admitted she and Artem Chigvintsev struggled with communicating ... saying back in 2021 she and her husband went to couples therapy because of how he spoke to her.

The former WWE star opened up about jumping on the therapist's couch with the pro dancer during an episode of Kaitlyn Bristowe's podcast "Off the Vine" back in 2021 ... after Bristowe revealed she didn't know if Artem liked her on "Dancing with the Stars."

Kaitlyn won 'DWTS' alongside Artem in 2020 -- but she says she didn't know how Artem felt about her because of the way he spoke to her ... and Nikki details a similar experience, saying she nearly quit because of his demeanor.

A man in a Ford Bronco terrorized golfers on a Delaware course Thursday -- running into at least one cart while driving through holes at a high rate of speed ... and the wild scene was all captured on video.

According to authorities, the incident took place at Deerfield Golf Club in Newark at around 2:20 PM.

Law enforcement says after hitting a golf cart and ejecting the occupant from the ride, the driver of the Bronco sped off and fled the scene.

The man accused of killing NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau and his little brother with his car on Thursday night admitted to authorities he drank "5-6 beers" before getting behind the wheel ... this according to court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports.

In the docs, cops say 43-year-old Sean Higgins admitted to officers he slammed his Jeep Grand Cherokee into the backs of the Gaudreau brothers -- who were on bicycles -- on a rural road in Salem County, New Jersey at around 8 PM.

Cops say Higgins told them he was attempting to get around an SUV on its left ... but when he thought the vehicle made a move to block him from passing -- he pivoted to try to get by it on its right. Seconds later, he collided with the brothers ... causing fatal injuries.

8:25 AM PT -- Nikki Bella's rep tells TMZ, "This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."

Artem Chigvintsev -- now accused of felony domestic violence -- himself called 911 after he allegedly battered someone in his home ... and minutes later he called back and told 911 never mind ... TMZ has learned.

As TMZ reported, Artem was arrested Thursday morning in Napa, California, where he lives with his wife, Nikki Garcia (aka Nikki Bella).

7:17 AM PT -- A church official tells TMZ Sports ... Katie Gaudreau and Devin Joyce's wedding has been canceled in wake of the tragedy.

NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau and his little brother, Matthew, died just hours before their sister was set to get married.

Katie Gaudreau and Devin Joyce were scheduled to the tie the knot at a ceremony at 1:45 PM on Friday at a church in New Jersey. According to Katie's Instagram page, the couple had actually rehearsed the event on Thursday night -- just before the Gaudreau brothers were tragically killed.

The Kansas City Chiefs are going into the 2024 NFL season with a secret weapon ... offensive mastermind, Taylor Swift!

3x Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes recently opened up about T. Swift's affinity for football, joking (we think?!) that she's even designing plays.

“She’s really interested in football. She asks many great questions,” the 2x NFL MVP recently said during an interview with NBC Sports. “She’s already drawing up plays, so we might have to put one in.”

5:45 AM PT -- New Jersey State Police tell TMZ ... "Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at 8:19 PM on County Route 551 North, milepost 11.1 Oldmans Township, Salem County. Based on a preliminary investigation, two pedalcyclists, John M. Gaudreau, a 31-year-old male from Carneys Point, N.J., and Matthew R. Gaudreau, a 29-year-old male from Pedricktown, N.J., were traveling north on County Route 551, close to the fog line of the roadway. Sean M. Higgins, a 43-year-old male from Woodstown, N.J., was traveling north on CR 551 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and SUV."

"Higgins attempted to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes of travel, passed the slower-moving sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes of travel when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the two pedalcyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway. Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedalcyclists in the rear. As a result of the collision, the two pedalcyclists sustained fatal injuries."

They concluded ... "Through further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, charged with two counts of death by auto, and lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility. This crash remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available."

If you wanna watch Caitlin Clark take on Angel Reese in-person later Friday ... ya better have some deep pockets -- 'cause TMZ Sports has learned tickets prices for the big contest are SOARING.

A rep for Gametime -- an app that helps fans find last-minute tix -- tells us that as of Thursday afternoon, the average price to get into Wintrust Arena for the Indiana vs. Chicago tilt was $1,045!!!

To get a premium seat, the official says it could run you all the way up $2,013!!

The alleged victim in the Artem Chigvintsev domestic violence case is cooperating with police ... and we're told investigators want to see if there's a history of domestic violence here.

A rep for the Napa County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ ... the alleged victim has so far been open to talking with investigators, and cops want more time to speak with the person about what happened.

Cops spoke to the alleged victim when officers arrived at the scene ... where they arrested the "Dancing With The Stars" pro for felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. We're told in order to make a felony arrest, the injury had to be visible.