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.

“Creed II” on the way – “Rocky” creator Stallone tells us we’ve “just got to be ready”

07/05/2017 James Slater

It appears there is yet more mileage in the classic “Rocky” saga; and in light of how great/very good/good six of the seven movies are, then why shouldn’t its creator Sylvester Stallone keep the feel-good story going?

Recently, via Instagram, Stallone added a tantalising photo, featuring the son of Apollo Creed, star of course of the spin-off “Creed,” going face-to-face with Ivan Drago, star of course of “Rocky IV;” the biggest money-spinner off all the “Rocky” films. This pic, and the attachment that reads: “History will always repeat itself in one form or another, just got to be ready!” suggests all manner of things.

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From the archives: Dempsey brutalises Willard! Happy 4th of July, America

07/05/201707/04/2017 James Slater

On July the 4th, 1919, a truly memorable and brutal heavyweight championship prize fight occurred in Toledo, Ohio. The reigning heavyweight king, Jess Willard, who had become known as “The Great White Hope” in the months leading up to his successful challenge of the controversial Jack Johnson, was to make his first defense against the much smaller Jack Dempsey. What followed was a performance by Dempsey that revolutionized professional boxing.

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Hearn: Klitschko doesn’t want to return to the UK for Joshua rematch; if no return AJ will fight Pulev October 28

07/04/201707/04/2017 James Slater

According to Eddie Hearn, former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko does not wish to return to the UK for a rematch with Anthony Joshua. Klitschko, still to make up his mind on the rematch, officially at least, Wladimir wants the fight to take place “abroad,” Hearn told The Mirror; not in London or Cardiff.

Klitschko, Hearn says, wants the return fight to be “a big event,” and Las Vegas and Nigeria are the two frontrunners to land the sequel to the April 29 classic – if it goes ahead at all.

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What would it mean if McGregor defeated Mayweather, KO’d him? The MMA star’s coach says it will happen

07/04/2017 James Slater

The hype surrounding next month’s Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor “Super-Fight” is considerable, huge even, and seemingly everyone has an opinion on what will happen when the two superstars of their respective sports swap punches, not kicks or chokes, on August 26 in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, aged 40 and inactive for almost two full years, will face the much younger McGregor in what will be Floyd’s 50th pro fight; McGregor will be boxing his debut! But, quite astonishingly, McGregor has a great deal of support, from fans who have bet serious money on him winning, and from some experts. It’s largely MMA experts who are backing the Irishman to pull off the monster upset, so that tells you something.

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Dillian Whyte to box US debut on Crawford-Indongo card; says Deontay Wilder is “an embarrassment to heavyweight boxing”

07/04/201707/04/2017 James Slater

Once-beaten British world heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte, who absolutely craves a shot at WBC ruler Deontay Wilder, will box his US debut in August, on the big Terence Crawford-Julius Indongo 140 pound unification clash.

Whyte, beaten only by current WBA/IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua in a terrific action battle, has won four in a row since losing his unbeaten record and he will face TBA on August 19. But the man “The Body Snatcher” has his eyes firmly fixed on is unbeaten KO King Wilder.

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Arum says Horn W12 Pacquiao was no robbery, Roach says he’ll have a long talk with Manny

07/03/2017 James Slater

If anyone should be screaming robbery right now, it is Manny Pacquiao’s long-time promoter Bob Arum. Yet despite the fact that people such as Lennox Lewis, Teddy Atlas and Samuel L. Jackson (!) are saying this past Saturday night’s upset decision win scored by Jeff Horn over Pacquiao was a disgrace, the Top Rank boss does not agree.

Speaking with RingTV.com, Arum – who, we all know full well, comes out and says what he is thinking – said the decision that went against his fighter was fair:

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Where does the Horn-Pacquiao result rank amongst the worst decisions in big fight boxing history?

07/03/2017 James Slater

The anger, the shock and the bewilderment caused by Saturday night’s monstrous upset decision win scored by Jeff Horn over Manny Pacquiao is still being felt, and it doesn’t look like going away any time soon. Amid the cries of robbery, corruption and incompetence, is the tired old, “boxing is finished” claim.

It isn’t of course, and the July 2 result was far from the first perceived bad decision in boxing; nor will it be the last. So, where does Horn WU12 Pacquiao rank amongst the worst ever?

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With time to reflect: Jeff Horn insists he really wants Mayweather fight next: “He’s an old guy as well”

07/03/2017 James Slater

Though many fans attributed new WBO welterweight champ Jeff Horn’s calling out of Floyd Mayweather to overexcitement, the controversial conqueror of Manny Pacquaio insists he really does want the fight. What’s more, Horn is convinced he can defeat Mayweather the way he did Pac Man.

With time to reflect and look back on his brilliant if controversial win over Pacquiao, Horn said to Australian media as he was mobbed in Brisbane how he thinks Mayweather’s age will prove a major factor in the fight with him if it happens.

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Anthony Joshua will face either Klitschko or Pulev next, says he’s “not bothered either way”

07/02/2017 James Slater

There hasn’t been a big, exciting world heavyweight title fight showdown in Las Vegas for some years now, but this could very possibly change later on this year. New star and reigning WBA/IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua told Sky Sports how he believes the opportunity to fight him in a big rematch fight in Vegas will inspire Wladimir Klitschko; “get his blood boiling again,” is how AJ put it.

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What next for Jeff Horn? The new WBO welterweight champ calls out Floyd Mayweather!

07/02/2017 James Slater

New WBO welterweight champ Jeff Horn is the fighter all of boxing is talking about right now; or at least the hugely controversial decision victory the Australian warrior pulled off over Manny Pacquiao, THE upset of the year so far, is the hottest topic in the sport today.

The overwhelming opinion is that Horn did not deserve the 12 round unanimous decision that went his way by way of scores of 117-111 and 115-113 twice. ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael, for example, had it a wide 117-111 in favour of Pac Man, while Teddy Atlas had it 116-111 for Pacquiao.

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