James Slater

James Slater has been a respected voice at Boxing247.com (formerly East Side Boxing) for over twenty years. Known for his deep knowledge of the sport, he covers everything from breaking news and historical features to exclusive fighter interviews. Throughout his career, Slater has spoken with world champions, rising prospects, and boxing legends alike, offering readers trusted insight and genuine passion for the fight game.

Bob Arum still not convinced Pacquiao’s third fight with Bradley will be his last

Bob Arum still not convinced Pacquiao’s third fight with Bradley will be his last

Will superstar Manny Pacquiao really call it a boxing career and walk away into a fulltime life of politics after his April 9th rubber-match with Tim Bradley? Pacquiao has repeatedly said this will indeed be his last one, but not everyone is convinced – least of all his promoter Bob Arum.

In speaking with Gareth A. Davies in an exclusive for The Telegraph, the 84-year-old Top Rank boss said he strongly feels Pacquiao will, like so many of the other fighters he has worked with his in 50 year career, have the urge to box again.

Lucas Browne says David Haye is “Full of s**t!”

Lucas Browne says David Haye is “Full of s**t!”

As fight fans have probably read, come-backing former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has announced how he is “in talks” with new WBA belt holder Lucas Browne and is hopeful he might fight him in his second return fight, set for May 21st at The O2 in London. However, Browne, who is obliged to fight Fres Oquendo as per the WBA’s tournament designed to finally crown just one man as their heavyweight king (there are currently three men staking such a claim: Browne, Tyson Fury and Luis Ortiz) took to Twitter to shoot down Haye’s talk.

In his own colorful, no-nonsense way, the unbeaten warrior known as “Big Daddy,” wrote the following in response to Haye’s claims:

Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko penciled in for June 4th, Austria now the favorite to host the rematch

Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko penciled in for June 4th, Austria now the favorite to host the rematch

Tyson Fury had to travel abroad, to Dusseldorf, Germany for his shot at defending heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko and it seems likely the new champion will have to travel abroad again for his first defence. The Fury-Klitschko rematch has been worked on for some weeks now, but the date now being talked of is June 4th and the favorite to play host to the fascinating rematch is Austria – the country Klitschko has often used for his training base.

According to an article in The Mirror, Klagenfurt’s 32,000 capacity Woerthersee stadium is now the front-runner to host the fight.

James DeGale, Badou Jack to co-headline April 30th card, De Gale-Medina, Jack-Bute

James DeGale, Badou Jack to co-headline April 30th card, De Gale-Medina, Jack-Bute

Rival super-middleweight champions James De Gale and Badou Jack want to fight one another in a unification clash, and the plan is for the two 168-pounders to meet later this year. But first the two will co-headline a Showtime card on April 30th. Southpaw DeGale will face Rogelio Medina, 36-6(30) while Jack will face what looks like a far stiffer challenge in former champ Lucian Bute, 32-3(25).

Victor Ortiz-Andre Berto rematch set for April 30th

Victor Ortiz-Andre Berto rematch set for April 30th

Welterweights Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto will meet in a return meeting of their sensational 2011 battle, with the rematch set for April 30th in Carson, California, RingTV.com has reported. The two fighters, both past what they once were, could treat fans to another great action fight. Back in April of 2011, the two traded knockdowns in a classic that was eventually won by Ortiz via unanimous decision. That fight was for the WBC welterweight title, the rematch is a non-title affair.

George Chuvalo looks back on his 50-year-old fight with Ali, still thinks he won!

George Chuvalo looks back on his 50-year-old fight with Ali, still thinks he won!

This March 29th marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Muhammad Ali-George Chuvalo world title fight. The fight, not widely expected beforehand to be too memorable – Ali, having trouble finding U.S venues willing to host his fights due to his political beliefs, only took on Chuvalo as a late replacement because he was also finding it tough getting the big fights – instead proved very interesting.

Ruslan Provodnikov to face John Molina Junior in June – a can’t-miss slugfest

Ruslan Provodnikov to face John Molina Junior in June - a can’t-miss slugfest

Showtime yesterday announced a string of upcoming fights set for the summer and one of these match-ups caught the eye of any discerning fan of a slugfest: the June 11th Ruslan Provodnikov-John Molina Junior clash. Provodnikov – who will be making his Showtime network TV debut – against Molina Junior will surely feature plenty of drama, for however long the light-welterweight shootout lasts.