James Slater

James Slater has been a leading voice at Boxing247.com (formerly East Side Boxing) for more than two decades. Widely respected for his extensive knowledge of the sport, he covers breaking news, historical retrospectives, and in-depth fighter interviews with equal authority. Over the course of his career, Slater has spoken with world champions, top contenders, rising prospects, and numerous boxing legends, providing readers with trusted insight and a longstanding passion for the fight game. His work remains a cornerstone of Boxing247’s editorial coverage.

Malik Scott-Deontay Wilder in the works for March

Fans have been wanting to see exciting KO artist Deontay Wilder take a step up in competition for some time now, and it looks as though these fans will get what they want this coming March. According to a news piece in The Tuscaloosa News, the 30-0(30) heavyweight contender will face the world ranked and highly skilled Malik Scott on March 15th.

“I can tell you it’s a fight we hope gets made,” Jay Deas, Wilder’s trainer told the publication. “It’s a great fight for both guys and hopefully a great fight for the fans. I’m hopeful it will [happen].”

Wanting to know more, I contacted Malik Scott, who improved to 36-1-1(13) last night with a rust-removing 2nd-round TKO over Grover Young. The win over Young was Scott’s first fight back since his controversial (counted out in the act of rising and appearing to be up before the count of “ten” in the 6th-round) fight with Dereck Chisora at Wembley. And Scott did confirm to me that he is all set to fight his friend Wilder next.

Unbeaten welterweight Antonio Orozco stops Miguel Angel Huerta in two sizzling rounds

Last night in Indio, California in a fight that went out on Fox Sports, unbeaten welterweight talent Antonio Orozco scored a thrilling if short TKO win after being hurt badly in the opening round of a violent slugfest with fellow Mexican Miguel Angel Huerta.

Orozco, managed by Golden Boy and looked at by many as a future world champion, was cracked hard by a full-blooded left hook to the jaw in the opening session. The 26-year-old held the shot well, in doing so proving he has a chin, and then had to take another left hand. Orozco overcame the toughest moment of his now 19-bout pro career.

In the 2nd, 35-year-old veteran Huerta went for it but, in breathtaking fashion, Orozco completely turned the fight around with a blistering left hook of his own.

Carl Froch says a Vegas fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Junior motivates him more than a Groves return

It seems Carl Froch will not be facing bitter British rival George Groves in a rematch – not in his next fight, anyway. “The Cobra,” who says he has many options, told Sky Sports Ringside that a fight with Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Junior is “closer to being made than a Groves rematch.” Froch also said that the idea of facing Chavez in Las Vegas, where he has never boxed, motivates him hugely.

Under fierce pressure from Groves to grant him a rematch – with many fans also asking for a second slice of the action that ended prematurely back in November – Froch says he is not all that interested in “going over old ground and beating George Groves again.”

Froch said that should he fight twice this year, as he usually does, he will look at facing Groves and Julio Chavez Junior but, “not in that order.”

Foreman Vs. Cooney – Foreman’s attempt to “make Tyson shiver!”

Eddie Hearn says Froch-Groves II could sell out an 80,000 arena in UK! (but will it happen?)

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn spoke with Sky Sports today, on the subject of whether or not we will see a return bout between bitter British rivals Carl Froch and George Groves. Fans everywhere have craved a sequel ever since the November clash between the two super-middleweights thrilled and then ended controversially, with Froch retaining his super-middleweight titles via what was widely viewed as a premature 9th-round TKO.

Hearn says he feels a return will take place:

“I think there’s a great chance,” Hearn told Sky Sports on the possibility of a Froch-Groves II. “I think it comes down to pride and ego at the end of the day, and of course a lot of money. As a fan and a promoter it’s the biggest fight out there. I know we could have this at a huge stadium and have 60, 70, 80,000 people. It was a tremendous fight last time and taking away the controversy, it was one of the best fights I’ve ever seen. A rematch could be even bigger. If I was a betting man I think we are going to get there. I hope we do.”

Heavyweight legend George Foreman turns 65 – “Big George” now a senior citizen

George Foreman, undeniably one of the most amazing prize fighters of all-time, celebrates his 65th birthday today. Having now been retired for well over fifteen years, Foreman has probably forgotten all about the rigours of heavyweight boxing, and is thinking only about his religious and business enterprises. But on this day of his birthday, this article asks the question: where exactly does the two-time heavyweight ruler rank in the history of heavyweight greats?

Foreman, a freakishly strong (both mentally and physically) human being, proved himself against the best in both chapters of his astonishing career. In fact, George shocked us and defied all common logic many times in both of his careers. Back in the 1970s, Foreman was a terrifying brute of a fighter, a man capable of intimidating the very best. And if an opponent wasn’t scared, Foreman’s powerful fists and underrated ability at cutting off the ring got the job done.

Pac-Man calls Mayweather a coward, talks trilogy and giving the fans what they want

Superstar Manny Pacquiao was speaking on the radio in his native Manila last night, talking with The Manila Times via DZAR Sunshine Radio, and the southpaw dynamo launched the most aggressive verbal assault yet on would-be ring rival Floyd Mayweather Junior.

Usually, Pacquiao is a reserved individual, refusing to speak negatively about any of his opponents, past, present or future – yet yesterday, possibly as a result of Mayweather’s recent and childishly delivered insults at his expense, Pac-Man gave Mayweather some of his own medicine.

“[Mayweather] is just a coward, insecure and envious of my accomplishments,” Pacquiao said. “I don’t like to bite [at] his gimmicks and I just want to understand him, although it’s too much. But I’m really thankful that he remembers me in some ways.”

Come-backing Michael Katsidis wants Adrien Broner showdown

As fight fans may have read, always thrilling Australian warrior Michael Katsidis is set to make a ring return. Reunited with long-time trainer and friend Brendon Smith, Katsidis, the former WBO interim lightweight champion, is scheduled to box in Australia in March (against a TBA, likely to be of the tune-up variety) but the 33-year-old is already looking at a bigger fight.

Katsidis, 28-6(23) has called out Adrien Broner, asking for the match-up on both his Facebook and Twitter accounts. Broner of course, has to make a ring return himself, having been beaten up and defeated by Marcos Maidana a few weeks back. Maybe a fight with the dangerous Katsidis will interest Broner as he attempts to prove his first loss has not ruined him.

Khan signs for Mayweather fight but is also willing to face Pacquiao – which match-up is most appealing?

khan#11 As boxing fans may have read by now, Amir Khan, the former WBA/IBF 140-pound champion, has put pen to paper to face superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior next May and is awaiting Floyd’s signature on the contract. This match-up, though derided by many, has long been expected (at least for a number of months now) and not too many people would be shocked if the match-up went ahead.

But Khan, in speaking with The Mail, also said he would be more than willing to face former friend and spar-mate Manny Pacquiao if Mayweather instead opts to face the fighter seen as his other option for May in Marcos Maidana.

Tyson Fury says he’ll be back in February – calls out Chisora, Wilder, Browne, Jones Jr for 2014

fury54 Unbeaten British giant Tyson Fury is ready to put a largely frustrating and unproductive 2013 behind him and enjoy a “big” 2014. Fury, who last fought in April of 2013 (getting up from an early knockdown to halt Steve Cunningham in New York) saw long months of his upwardly mobile career go down the drain due to his British super-fight with David Haye falling apart not once but twice.

Fury, understandably angry at the Haye fight disappearing (apparently for good, what with Haye’s shoulder injury) even announced his retirement from boxing on his official Twitter page. Fury, though, a born fighting man as he is so proud to point out, has forgotten all about hanging ‘em up and has been on Twitter again. Fury announced today how he will “be back in Feb.” and how he “can’t wait for 2014.”