James Slater, Author At Boxing News

Four candidates for Fight Of The Year so far, and we still have five months to go

August 3, 2016August 3, 2016 by James Slater

Carl Frampton, Francisco Vargas, Jamie Conlan, Keith Thurman, Leo Santa Cruz, Orlando Salido, Shawn Porter - In a sign of how good a year it has already been for boxing here in 2016, we have at least four absolutely cracking fights being looked at as candidates for winning this year’s FOTY distinction - and as great as these fights have been, we still have some potential thrillers to look forward to in the remaining five months of the year.

In a sign of how good a year it has already been for boxing here in 2016, we have at least four absolutely cracking fights being looked at as candidates for winning this year’s FOTY distinction – and as great as these fights have been, we still have some potential thrillers to look forward to in the remaining five months of the year.

So far, fans and experts are agreed how the Keith Thurman-Shawn Porter fight, the Orlando Salido-Francisco Vargas fight and the more recent Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz fight are all up there as genuine FOTY candidates. I would like to add to the list the terrific Jamie Conlan-Anthony Nelson fight.

Amir Khan explains why he took so long to get his damaged hand fixed

August 2, 2016August 2, 2016 by James Slater

Amir Khan - British star and former 140-pound champ Amir Khan revealed a few weeks ago how he has been carrying a hand injury, one which has seriously affected his ability to punch with full power with his right hand, for a number of years - 11 years in fact. Speaking with The Sun, Khan said the injury, picked up in his second year as a pro, allowed him to punch with just 30 or 40 percent power. As to why he has waited until this year to get the necessary surgery, Khan said he could not afford to take off as long as six months for the op.

British star and former 140-pound champ Amir Khan revealed a few weeks ago how he has been carrying a hand injury, one which has seriously affected his ability to punch with full power with his right hand, for a number of years – 11 years in fact. Speaking with The Sun, Khan said the injury, picked up in his second year as a pro, allowed him to punch with just 30 or 40 percent power. As to why he has waited until this year to get the necessary surgery, Khan said he could not afford to take off as long as six months for the op.

Who should Carl Frampton fight next?

August 2, 2016 by James Slater

Carl Frampton - Irish warrior Carl Frampton, now a two-weight world champion, arrived as a genuine star, maybe even a future superstar, with his thrilling FOTY candidate of a win over Leo Santa Cruz. The new WBA featherweight king overcame odds that were against him as he won in New York. Now, with so many big fight options open to him, “The Jackal” can reap the rewards of his success as he searches for more.

Irish warrior Carl Frampton, now a two-weight world champion, arrived as a genuine star, maybe even a future superstar, with his thrilling FOTY candidate of a win over Leo Santa Cruz. The new WBA featherweight king overcame odds that were against him as he won in New York. Now, with so many big fight options open to him, “The Jackal” can reap the rewards of his success as he searches for more.

Who should Frampton fight next?

Can Gennady Golovkin retire unbeaten? Can he break Rocky Marciano’s record?

August 2, 2016 by James Slater

Gennady Golovkin - Gennady Golovkin said some interesting things at yesterday’s London press conference to further hype his September 10 clash with IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook. Aside from the customary respect GGG shows towards his opponents - Golovkin stated again how he sees Brook as a serious test, his biggest yet, and he even said the upcoming fight “feels like a unification fight” - the middleweight king also spoke about his hopes to retire from boxing with a perfect, unbeaten record.

Gennady Golovkin said some interesting things at yesterday’s London press conference to further hype his September 10 clash with IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook. Aside from the customary respect GGG shows towards his opponents – Golovkin stated again how he sees Brook as a serious test, his biggest yet, and he even said the upcoming fight “feels like a unification fight” – the middleweight king also spoke about his hopes to retire from boxing with a perfect, unbeaten record.

Will we ever see another undisputed heavyweight champion?

August 2, 2016August 1, 2016 by James Slater

Mike Tyson - Today in 1987, a peaking Mike Tyson unified all three world heavyweight titles: the WBC/WBA and IBF belts being his property after a perhaps tougher than expected 12-round points win over a skilled Tony Tucker. Tyson was still not THE absolute and undisputed heavyweight king, as Michael Spinks, the undefeated former 175-pound king who had moved up in weight to shock Larry Holmes two years earlier, was still the lineal ruler.

Today in 1987, a peaking Mike Tyson unified all three world heavyweight titles: the WBC/WBA and IBF belts being his property after a perhaps tougher than expected 12-round points win over a skilled Tony Tucker. Tyson was still not THE absolute and undisputed heavyweight king, as Michael Spinks, the undefeated former 175-pound king who had moved up in weight to shock Larry Holmes two years earlier, was still the lineal ruler.

Arum to meet with Pacquiao on August 9 to discuss Crawford/Vargas

August 1, 2016 by James Slater

Bob Arum, Jessie Vargas, Manny Pacquiao, Terence Crawford - Top Rank boss Bob Arum is set to fly out to Manila on August 9, to meet up with the soon to return to the ring Manny Pacquiao and discuss his planned November 5 return to action. According to The Manila Times, Arum says Pac-Man’s opponent will likely be either unbeaten, recently unified WBO/WBC 140-pound champion Terence Crawford or once-beaten reigning WBO welterweight ruler Jessie Vargas.

Top Rank boss Bob Arum is set to fly out to Manila on August 9, to meet up with the soon to return to the ring Manny Pacquiao and discuss his planned November 5 return to action. According to The Manila Times, Arum says Pac-Man’s opponent will likely be either unbeaten, recently unified WBO/WBC 140-pound champion Terence Crawford or once-beaten reigning WBO welterweight ruler Jessie Vargas.

“I have already booked my flight to Manila, I’m looking forward to that meeting” Arum said. “So far, they [Crawford and Vargas] are the candidates. It’s going to be an absolute blockbuster of a fight, either of the two. Everybody is excited to see Manny return. His last fight against Timothy Bradley was great.”

Only Brook and Ward can match GGG says Etches

August 1, 2016August 1, 2016 by James Slater

Andre Ward, Gennady Golovkin, Kell Brook - Middleweight king Gennady Golovkin will be in London today to attend a press conference to further promote his September fight with Kell Brook and, as the hype grows over the fight that has seemingly polarized fight fans, everyone has their opinion on what will happen inside a packed O2 Arena on September 10. One man who is giving Brook - the reigning IBF welterweight champ who is currently adding muscle to his impressive frame so as to be able to go to war at 160-pounds - a good chance is British middleweight contender Adam Etches.

Middleweight king Gennady Golovkin will be in London today to attend a press conference to further promote his September fight with Kell Brook and, as the hype grows over the fight that has seemingly polarized fight fans, everyone has their opinion on what will happen inside a packed O2 Arena on September 10. One man who is giving Brook – the reigning IBF welterweight champ who is currently adding muscle to his impressive frame so as to be able to go to war at 160-pounds – a good chance is British middleweight contender Adam Etches.

Etches, from Sheffield like Brook, told The Star how he feels there are only two fighters in the sport today who are capable of matching the feared Triple-G: Brook and pound-for-pound star Andre Ward. Etches feels Brook will need to fight GGG using similar tactics to those he adopted when he won the IBF 147-pound belt by closely out-pointing Shaw Porter two years ago.

Concern for Roger Mayweather as police list the ex-fighter as a missing person

July 31, 2016 by James Slater

Roger Mayweather, a former world champion in his own right and the uncle and trainer of retired superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior, has been listed by Las Vegas police as a MISSING PERSON. There are concerns for the 55-year-old’s well being after he disappeared yesterday afternoon, local Las Vegas, Nevada time.

Carl Frampton tops Leo Santa Cruz in terrific fight; how about a rematch?

August 2, 2016July 31, 2016 by James Slater

Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz - Carl Frampton wants to become known as the greatest fighter ever to have come out of Ireland, and last night, with his terrific win over an excellent defending champion in Leo Santa Cruz, “The Jackal” took one huge stride towards achieving his goal. Out-pointing the relentless defending WBA featherweight champion, Frampton boxed superbly and he is now a two-weight world ruler. All congratulations and respect go out to Frampton and he will now head back to a hero’s reception in Belfast.

Carl Frampton wants to become known as the greatest fighter ever to have come out of Ireland, and last night, with his terrific win over an excellent defending champion in Leo Santa Cruz, “The Jackal” took one huge stride towards achieving his goal. Out-pointing the relentless defending WBA featherweight champion, Frampton boxed superbly and he is now a two-weight world ruler. All congratulations and respect go out to Frampton and he will now head back to a hero’s reception in Belfast.

The big question is what next for Frampton, and Santa Cruz? Last night’s fight was all that is great about boxing: two fine, unbeaten athletes in their prime, exchanging quality punches throughout, not a clinch in sight, the fans thrilled to the very end. And the final result of the fight was hanging in the balance until the very end – or so we thought. Once again – and not at all wanting to rain on Frampton’s parade – the boxing judges came close to spoiling a magical occasion. As it turned out, only one of the three officials had the fight hanging in the balance until the very end. Was Frampton really a 4-point winner? A SIX-point winner! No way. The draw handed in by the third official was more on the money, and it really was quite staggering hearing how one judge had Santa Cruz winning just three rounds!

So, is the David Haye – Shannon Briggs fight still going to happen?

July 31, 2016 by James Slater

David Haye, Shannon Briggs - Shannon Briggs is certainly persistent. Having been chasing David Haye for a few months now - crashing the former WBA heavyweight champ’s press conferences, turning up at his gym in London and finally fighting on his under-card - Briggs was in hot pursuit of Haye last night in New York. The vocal, “Let’s Go, Champ” 44-year-old turned up at the Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz fight at The Barclays Centre and he chased after Haye upon seeing his ring target.

Shannon Briggs is certainly persistent. Having been chasing David Haye for a few months now – crashing the former WBA heavyweight champ’s press conferences, turning up at his gym in London and finally fighting on his under-card – Briggs was in hot pursuit of Haye last night in New York. The vocal, “Let’s Go, Champ” 44-year-old turned up at the Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz fight at The Barclays Centre and he chased after Haye upon seeing his ring target.

Haye tried his best to ignore his tormentor, but on thing is clear: Briggs is not going to go away. But does Haye still like the idea of swapping bombs with “The Cannon?” The last we heard, when the two former champs blew away mismatched opposition in May, the two would clash in London, probably in September. Since then……nothing, at least nothing from Haye. Briggs is on social media at every opportunity calling for the fight and shortly after the passing of the great Muhammad Ali, Briggs vowed to KO Haye in one-round in honour of “The Greatest.”