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.

Amir Khan-Kell Brook: The fight that won’t go away

Amir Khan-Kell Brook: The fight that won't go away

Amir Khan-Kell Brook; or should that be the other way around? Just who is the A-side in this all-British clash, one that seemingly will not go away? Both fighters, if they’re not quite drinking at The Last Chance Saloon, are both close to entering the tavern.

Neither former champ has won a fight in a long, long time – Khan last registering a win in May of 2015, Brook last emerging victorious in March of 2016. But despite this recent run of defeat (against nothing but elite fighters it must be pointed out; with Khan losing to Canelo Alvarez and Brook coming unstuck against Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence) neither man is ready to call it quits quite yet.

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Anthony Joshua has three-fight plan to unification, but may still have to face Luis Ortiz

Anthony Joshua has three-fight plan to unification, but may still have to face Luis Ortiz

It’s time for WBA/IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua to take his show on the road. So far in his exciting 19-fight pro career, AJ has boxed in the UK only, but Eddie Hearn has laid out plans for the immediate future – and after Joshua has come through okay against his IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev who he will face in Cardiff on October 28, the next fight will take place abroad.

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Anthony Joshua fires back at “David Feathers” and “Beyonce Wilder,” says these fights will happen “in time”

Anthony Joshua fires back at “David Feathers” and “Beyonce Wilder,” says these fights will happen “in time”

Anthony Joshua is not one for trash-talk, yet he could not resist coming out with a little bit of it when addressing the recent calling out he has been subjected to by both Deontay Wilder and David Haye.

Wilder, via a video the WBC heavyweight champ uploaded on social media, strongly suggests the WBA/IBF ruler is unwilling to face him. Not so says AJ, who gave both Wilder and his fellow Brit Haye both barrels.

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Living legend Thomas Hearns saddened to see old Kronk gym destroyed by fire

Living legend Thomas Hearns saddened to see old Kronk gym destroyed by fire

Once a cauldron of activity, a building that housed a boxing gym that saw such special talent as Thomas Hearns, Hilmer Kenty, Milton McCrory and other future world champions hone their craft under the tutelage of the late Emanuel Steward, the old Detroit Kronk gym was sadly destroyed by fire over the weekend.

Police in Detroit strongly suspect arson and the building, which closed in 2006, is now mere debris. An investigation is now underway.

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A shot at Jeff Horn: Amir Khan’s best chance to reign again?

A shot at Jeff Horn: Amir Khan's best chance to reign again?

Jeff Horn is one of the hottest and most talked about fighters in boxing right now, courtesy of his big July upset win over ageing superstar Manny Pacquiao. While we fans await “The Hornet’s” next move – word now is, it could be British fighter Gary Corcoran next, but nothing is confirmed yet – British fight fans also await the ring return of Amir Khan.

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Chris Eubank Jr. wants Groves-Cox winner – “I am here to dominate this tournament!”

Chris Eubank Jr. wants Groves-Cox winner - “I am here to dominate this tournament!”

For years we’ve been waiting for the incredibly vocal, “I am the best” Chris Eubank Junior to deliver performances worthy of backing up his boasts. Last night in the former British middleweight champion’s first appearance in the super-middleweight WBSS tournament, Eubank gave us such a performance.

No, Eubank, 26-1(20) did not face a killer, or even an established top-10 fighter in Turkey’s unbeaten but largely untested Avni Yildrim, but he put on a most impressive display of power, explosiveness and aggression. Looking solid as a wall, Eubank was ruthless in his quest to not only win, but to send out a message: “I am here to dominate this tournament,” the 28 year old declared shortly after dispatching Yildrim, 16-1(10) in the third-round in Stuttgart.

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Should a Deontay Wilder-Anthony Joshua fight take place in America?

Should a Deontay Wilder-Anthony Joshua fight take place in America?

Should the guaranteed heavyweight explosion that is Deontay Wilder, WBC king Vs. Anthony Joshua, WBA/IBF champ, take place in the U.S, the U.K, or some place else? Without doubt THE biggest possible fight that can be made in the glamour division of the sport today, Wilder-Joshua HAS to happen and, all being well for we fight fans, it will happen.

But where?

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A comeback at age 46? Vitali Klitschko hints he may have to return to avenge his brother’s loss to Anthony Joshua

A comeback at age 46? Vitali Klitschko hints he may have to return to avenge his brother's loss to Anthony Joshua

When they were fighting, the Klitschko brothers always had each other’s back. If one brother lost a fight, rest assured his sibling would do all he could to avenge the defeat so as to “restore the Klitschko family name.”

Wladimir lost to Corrie Sanders, and Vitali avenged the KO loss with a KO win of his own; while Vitali lost to Chris Byrd, only for Wladimir to punish Byrd on his way to family revenge. And now, in what would be a sensation if it actually happened, Vitali is talking (with a smile) about the possibility of coming back to the ring to avenge his brother’s April KO loss to Anthony Joshua.

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