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.

Dillian Whyte tweets Wilder: No excuses now, I’ll take Ortiz’ place!

Dillian Whyte tweets Wilder: No excuses now, I'll take Ortiz' place!

It hasn’t taken long for the news of Luis Ortiz’ failed drugs test to reach British heavyweight Dillian Whyte – and Whyte sees opportunity in the demise of the Cuban’s November 4 fight with Deontay Wilder.

Whyte, who has wanted and called out for a shot at Wilder and his WBC crown for some time, took to his twitter account a couple of hours ago, basically writing how Wilder must now face him instead of Ortiz.

“No excuses now, I’ll take Ortiz’ place,” wrote Whyte, adding the words, “Eddie Hearn make this fight now.”

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Luis Ortiz fails pre-fight drugs test, fight with Deontay Wilder falls apart

Luis Ortiz fails pre-fight drugs test, fight with Deontay Wilder falls apart

In terrible news, it has been confirmed by multiple sources that heavyweight Luis Ortiz has testesd positive for a banned substance in a pre-fight drugs test that was conducted by VADA a week ago. Ortiz was of course to have challenged WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder on November4; this fight is now off.

It remains to be seen whether or not Wilder, unbeaten at 38-0 will still fight on the November date (some people have suggested he may fight former foe Bermane Stiverne in a return; Stiverne being the fighter who took step-aside money to allow Wilder to face Ortiz instead – but this is nothing more than speculation at this point in time).

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Adonis Stevenson’s mandatory defence against Eleider Alvarez finally getting close

Adonis Stevenson's mandatory defence against Eleider Alvarez finally getting close

Seemingly a long time ago now, and immediately after scoring an impressive 5th round stoppage win over former champ Lucian Bute, unbeaten light-heavyweight contender Eleider Alvarez called for his earned shot at reigning WBC 175 pound champ Adonis Stevenson. Alvarez, 23-0(11) has fought once since, when he won a close decision over another former champ in Jean Pascal in June, but he has wanted to fight Stevenson, 29-1(24) so, so bad.

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Power-puncher David Lemieux will return Dec. 2; either against Cotto or someone else

Power-puncher David Lemieux will return Dec. 2; either against Cotto or someone else

Canadian power-puncher David Lemieux recently put out a tweet, in which he declared how his “tools are sharpening up and [ I am] ready to destroy soon.” It’s exciting that the former IBF middleweight champ, arguably the single hardest puncher in the sport today, pound-for-pound, is set to be back in action – even if we don’t yet know for certain who he will be facing on December 2.

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Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder seemingly on a collision course – but where will it rank alongside the last great heavyweight fights?

Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder seemingly on a collision course – but where will it rank alongside the last great heavyweight fights?

If all things work out and as long as both men retain their unbeaten records along with their titles, it seems the world will soon see the guaranteed heavyweight explosion that is the much talked about Anthony Joshua-Deontay Wider fight.

Both men have called for it, want it – and need it. Look at the current heavyweight ratings, and most lists have AJ at NO.1 and “The Bronze Bomber” at NO.2. Some fans might have it the other way around, but the point is, these two undefeated power-punchers are the best of the best in the glamour division today. As such, they no doubt have to fight.

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Tom Loeffler says GGG would fight Canelo again this December “if they wanted”

Tom Loeffler says GGG would fight Canelo again this December “if they wanted”

As fight fans know, it took quite a stretch of time, and much negotiating, before Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez finally met in their big fight – and most people will tell you it was Canelo, or more accurately Golden Boy, who was to blame for the fight taking so long to get signed, sealed and delivered.

The question fans have now is, will it take such a long time to get the must-see rematch sorted out? No-one was happy with the drawn verdict that was handed in after 12 engrossing rounds of action on September 16, with both warriors claiming they deserved a win. With such sheer public demand for a rematch, one that would in all likelihood be an even bigger fight than the first encounter, it seems both fighters must not look anywhere else for their next fight.

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Tyson Fury Vs. Shannon Briggs: Car crash or Smash hit!?

Tyson Fury Vs. Shannon Briggs: Car crash or Smash hit!?

Shock, horror – heavyweight superstar (personality) Shannon Briggs, still on suspension for a failed drugs test, has called out heavyweight giant (in every sense of the word) Tyson Fury, still on suspension for an alleged failed drugs test.

Now, say what you want about the very notion of this fight – a disgrace, a sure-fire bullseye of a black eye for the sport, a farce, a car crash in waiting – but admit this: you WOULD watch it if actually happened. Let’s not be hypocrites here, we all know we would tune in, not only to the fight itself, but to all the pre-fight fun and games masquerading as press conferences, head-to-heads, etc.

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Jarrell Miller-Mariusz Wach likely for November 11 – A big test for “Big Baby?”

Jarrell Miller-Mariusz Wach likely for November 11 – A big test for “Big Baby?”

The upcoming card set for HBO on November 11 in Uniondale, New York that will be headlined by former WBA middleweight champ Danny Jacobs returning to action against the unbeaten Luis Arias, is set to get even bigger – quite literally.

According to a piece on RingTV.com, unbeaten heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller, AKA “Big Baby,” will face fellow big man Mariusz Wach in a fight that will be the Brooklyn man’s HBO debut. One of the best talkers, and punchers, in the game in terms of the fast-rising contenders on the scene, Miller has fans interested. Is he the real deal, or is the one-time (briefly) MMA fighter more hype than substance?

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Joseph Parker WM12 Hughie Fury has “No chance” of being overturned says WBO vice-president John Duggan

Joseph Parker WM12 Hughie Fury has “No chance” of being overturned says WBO vice-president John Duggan

The arguments over this past Saturday night’s Joseph Parker-Hughie Fury fight are still ongoing; with the Fury family being, well, furious over the 12 round majority decision that went to defending WBO heavyweight champ Parker.

As soon as the verdict was announced in Manchester, the entire Fury family, along with their supporters and their promoter, went crazy – former heavyweight king Tyson Fury especially (even climbing into the ring, apparently to confront BBB of C head Robert Smith). There were suggestions of “corruption” and of “dark forces” being at work, and Fury and his team may well launch an official protest over the decision (114-114 and 118-110 twice, for Parker).

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