James Slater, Author At Boxing News 24/7

Malik Scott-Deontay Wilder in the works for March

January 25, 2014January 25, 2014 by James Slater

Deontay Wilder, Malik Scott - Boxing News

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

January 25, 2014January 25, 2014 by James Slater

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

January 23, 2014 by James Slater

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!”

January 15, 2014 by James Slater

George Foreman, Gerry Cooney - Boxing History

Exactly 24-years ago today, an unlikely heavyweight comeback was well underway. In fact, on this day, one year shy of a quarter of a century ago, there were two unlikely heavyweight comebacks being observed – and what’s more the two come-backing heavies were about to run right into each other.

Caesars Palace in Atlantic City was the venue, and a forty-something George Foreman faced a thirty-something Gerry Cooney in a fascinating (if much maligned) clash that was dubbed “Two Geezers at Caesars.” That tagline first appeared, I believe, in the late Bert Sugar’s excellent Boxing Illustrated magazine, yet a better tagline might have been “Punchers Collide.” For whatever shortcomings the returning duo that was Foreman and Cooney might have had, hitting incredibly hard was not one of them. The match-up sure caught the interest of the fans – hence the 12, 581 paying fans in attendance and the many more hundreds of thousands who had parted with some pay-per-view dollars to watch the 50-50 affair on TV.

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

January 13, 2014 by James Slater

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

January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 by James Slater

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

January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 by James Slater

Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao - Boxing News

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.”

Fury-Chisora II – winner worthy of a shot at Wladimir Klitschko?

January 10, 2014January 9, 2014 by James Slater

Promoter Frank Warren has big plans for Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury, Chisora has come up with his own novel idea of a big plan; and Fury has a whole bunch of big plans he’s set for himself. Warren, as fans may have read, hopes to stage a Chisora-Fury rematch in the summer, in what the promoter feels would be a massive event to be held at a football stadium in the UK, and there is the possibility the would-be rematch could also be a world title eliminator of some kind.

Both fighters are highly ranked, experienced and both are young and hungry and it’s certainly possible, maybe even probable, that a case could be made for the summer rematch winner having earned a shot at world ruler Wladimir Klitschko. Chisora has of course already fought a Klitschko – losing a hard-fought 12-round decision to big brother Vitali not too long ago. Ever since that fight, having done himself proud (in the ring when the bell rang, not so much the infamous spitting/slapping/post-fight brawling with David Haye) Chisora has craved a shot at Wladimir. Maybe, if he can get revenge over Fury (who out pointed him back in 2011), Chisora will get his wish.

Come-backing Michael Katsidis wants Adrien Broner showdown

January 5, 2014 by James Slater

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?

January 1, 2014December 31, 2013 by James Slater

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.