James Slater

James Slater has been a leading voice at Boxing247.com  (East Side Boxing) for more than two decades. His expertise lies in writing news, detailed historical articles, and conducting interviews with fighters across the globe. Over his career, Slater has spoken with world champions, prospects, and legends, bringing unique insights to both current events and boxing’s rich history. Slater’s long-standing commitment to the sport has made him a trusted source for fans who want context, reliability, and passion in their boxing news.

Wilder vs Ortiz appears to be back on; for good or for bad

Wilder vs Ortiz appears to be back on; for good or for bad

It appears as though WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder has his next fight, if not signed and sealed, then at least delivered. Luis Ortiz was of course to have challenged “The Bronze Bomber” in November but came up positive for an illegal substance; the results being announced to the world quite literally at the eleventh hour – but now Ortiz is back where he was a couple of months ago.

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Gary Corcoran says Jeff Horn is guilty of head-butting; says he’ll bite Horn if he butts him!

Gary Corcoran says Jeff Horn is guilty of head-butting; says he'll bite Horn if he butts him!

Gary Corcoran of the UK is a big underdog going into next week’s (December 13) challenge of WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn. Horn, who shocked the world by beating Manny Pacquiao to take the belt in July, has vowed to prevent the once-beaten Corcoran from scoring a tremendous upset of his own when the two meet in Brisbane.

But Corcoran caused something of a sensation at the final presser before the fight, firstly by calling Horn a dirty fighter, one who deliberately used his head in the Pacquiao fight, and then by stating how, if he is butted intentionally during Wednesday’s fight, he will respond by biting the unbeaten champion.

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Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum gives Joseph Parker “a hell of a chance” in fight with Anthony Joshua

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum gives Joseph Parker “a hell of a chance” in fight with Anthony Joshua

Top Rank boss Bob Arum is a whole lot more optimistic than a number of other people are when it comes to an Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker heavyweight unification fight taking place soon. Arum, speaking with The Los Angeles Times when going through the early 2018 schedule of fights to go out on ESPN, said he feels the fight will get done once the two sides agree over the purse split (a scenario Arum says he feels will indeed unfold – “with a little tugging and so forth.”)

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Superstar Floyd Mayweather to apply for Russian citizenship

Superstar Floyd Mayweather to apply for Russian citizenship

“Retired” boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather is in Russia right now, in Chechnya, where he has met leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Mayweather has put it out on social media how he aims to apply for Russian citizenship. Floyd already has a gym opened in Moscow and according to Kadyrov, the former multi-weight champion and he have “a lot of plans together.”

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Anthony Joshua unhappy with Joseph Parker’s attitude: This is the first time in my career where the talk has been about money

Anthony Joshua unhappy with Joseph Parker's attitude: This is the first time in my career where the talk has been about money

Right now we are seemingly no closer to seeing a deal made for a fight between rival heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker. As fans know, Parker and his team have been going all-out to try and get the fight made; even hosting a quite bizarre press conference where video was shown of Joshua suffering knockdowns at both amateur and pro level.

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Orlando Salido vs. Miguel Roman promises fireworks

Orlando Salido vs. Miguel Roman promises fireworks

Going up against Saturday’s historic Vasyl Lomachenko-Guillermo Rigondeaux fight in New York, will be the all-Mexican battle between Orlando Salido and Miguel Roman. The ten-rounder may not be able to advertise the boxing pedigree or the sheer silky skills that will be witnessed in the Lomachenko-Rigondeaux fight (or chess match) but in terms of action, this fight will almost certainly outdo the WBO super-featherweight title fight.

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Vasyl Lomachenko doesn’t just beat guys, he makes them quit, retire sat down – could Rigondeaux be next?

Vasyl Lomachenko doesn't just beat guys, he makes them quit, retire sat down – could Rigondeaux be next?

Not one, not two, but the last three fighters to have shared a ring with Vasyl Lomachenko have flat-out quit, retired on their stool. Good fighters all three – Nicholas Walters, Jason Sosa and Miguel Marriaga – the trio were forced to capitulate due to the pain, frustration and just simple embarrassment that came about inside the four squares on the night they met the boxer with the most deceptive pro record ever.

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