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.

Tyson Fury on possibility of a comeback; says he “might do a George Foreman”

Tyson Fury on possibility of a comeback; says he “might do a George Foreman”

As fight fans may recall, heavyweight legend George Foreman retired, for ten full years, in 1977. At the young age of just 28, walking away from millions of dollars in future fights, Foreman disappeared from the boxing ring until 1987, when he came back at age 37 to fight in another era.

Tyson Fury is 28 right now and he has tweeted how he “might do a George Foreman” and fight again in ten years. Who knows with Fury; is he being serious or not? People expect Fury, unbeaten, to make a return to the ring, maybe this year – but his tweet says otherwise:

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Deontay Wilder may need a new opponent for February 25, as Andrej Wawrzyk fails drugs test

Deontay Wilder may need a new opponent for February 25, as Andrej Wawrzyk fails drugs test

It looks as though reigning WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder will have to find a new opponent for his scheduled February 25 return fight in Alabama. Wilder was of course set to defend against Andrej Wawrzyk, but Wawrzyk has failed a doping test.

ESPN.com reports that Wawrzyk failed a urine test, coming up positive for the anabolic steroid stanazolol. The pre-fight test was conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) and Wawrzyk could now be out of the fight.

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Anthony Joshua ready for “Defining Fight” versus Wladimir Klitschko

Anthony Joshua ready for “Defining Fight” versus Wladimir Klitschko

After just 18 bouts as a pro, all either quick or mid-rounds quick, KO wins, Anthony Joshua is ready for his “defining fight.” The big, record-breaking sell-out showdown between he and former king Wladimir Klitschko on April 29 will define the remainder of Joshua’s career, certainly – and AJ is hugely motivated to win.

“I tried to play it down, I’m quite like that – ‘It’s only another fight’,” Joshua said on the enormity of the upcoming fight when speaking with Sky Sports News HQ. “But emotionally you will always change how you feel about something. I’m going into the stage, emotionally, where this is my defining fight. I’ve done what I had to do to become [IBF] champion, which is great. But when we talk about defining fights, this is one that could change the perspective of my credibility within my industry. That’s why this fight is important.”

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Carl Frampton-Lee Selby unification blockbuster eyed for Belfast this year – but both must win on Saturday in Vegas

Carl Frampton-Lee Selby unification blockbuster eyed for Belfast this year – but both must win on Saturday in Vegas

Carl Frampton is just days away from a second war with Leo Santa Cruz, but the WBA featherweight king is already eyeing up his next fight. Frampton, who defeated Santa Cruz to take the featherweight belt in a classic fight last summer, believes he will triumph again in the return in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Frampton, who picked up the prestigious Fighter of The Year award from Ring Magazine for his 2016 achievements, believes he may even KO the tough Mexican warrior this time. And on the under-card on Saturday at The MGM, IBF featherweight ruler Lee Selby faces his mandatory challenger Jonathan Barrios, with a potentially massive unification fight between the two a strong possibility for later this year – assuming they both win of course.

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Manny Pacquiao says no way to four fights this year, but says he is “ready to fight anybody”

Manny Pacquiao says no way to four fights this year, but says he is “ready to fight anybody”

Bob Arum’s idea of having superstar Manny Pacquiao box four times this year was always an overly optimistic bit of planning. Four times a year just doesn’t happen these days, not for a huge marquee name. Look at Gennady Golovkin; last year he wanted to engage in four fights, or three at least, yet he managed just two wins.

And factor in Pacquiao’s age and his time-consuming political chores, and there was no way he’d box four times. So how many fights does the reigning WBO welterweight champ feel he will have here in 2017 as he closes in, probably, on retirement? Quoted by Ring, Pac-Man and his advisor Michael Koncz say the 38-year-old will have two fights – one in April, the other in October or November.

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Amir Khan: Kell Brook doesn’t want the fight, it’s not happening

Amir Khan: Kell Brook doesn't want the fight, it's not happening

In a surprising, even shocking development regarding the British super-fight between Amir Khan and Kell Brook, it seems the fight is NOT going to happen. At least this is what Khan said today whilst being interviewed on British TV channel ITV’s “This Morning” show.

Khan, speaking with Phillip Schofield via live satellite interview from San Francisco, was primarily talking, along with his wife, about his recent personal problems, but he was also briefly asked about the Brook fight.

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Klitschko’s trainer: We don’t know how strong Joshua’s chin is, but Wladimir does not have a weak chin

Klitschko's trainer: We don't know how strong Joshua's chin is, but Wladimir does not have a weak chin

Most fight fans agree the upcoming April clash between young champ Anthony Joshua and “old” ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko is pretty much a 50-50 fight; certainly a tough one to pick a winner from. Fans also hope the Wembley mega-event that has smashed all previous ticket sales in the UK is a great fight.

One man who believes it will be “explosive” and “will not last too long,” is Klitschko’s co-trainer James Ali Bashir. Bashir in speaking with BaylorIC TV, said that “someone is getting knocked out” on April 29.

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Abel Sanchez: Everyone has the possibility to win; it could be Chavez-Golovkin or Jacobs-Canelo

Abel Sanchez: Everyone has the possibility to win; it could be Chavez-Golovkin or Jacobs-Canelo

Last week when speaking with ESPN Deportes, Oscar De La Hoya warned us that the planned September mega-fight between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez could be at risk – at least for that month – because the May 6 fight between Canelo and Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr could be “a war,” maybe even “a draw.”

If this scenario unfolded, De La Hoya posited, Canelo would perhaps not be able to fight GGG in September, as a return bout, or even a trilogy with Chavez would perhaps have to be fought. And now, in also speaking with ESPN Deportes, Abel Sanchez, trainer of course of GGG, has also warned how, with GGG and Canelo both facing very live and dangerous opponents in their upcoming fights (GGG will as we know face Danny Jacobs in March) nothing should be taken for granted.

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Zab Judah makes short work of Jorge Luis Munguia in ring return

Zab Judah makes short work of Jorge Luis Munguia in ring return

Former champ and one-time pound-for-pound star Zab Judah returned to the ring last night in Trenton, New Jersey, when he fought for the first time since his 12-round decision loss to Paulie Malignaggi in December of 2013. Closing in on his 40th birthday, Judah still has something to offer.

At least he looked good last night in taking care of journeyman Jorge Luis Munguia of Honduras. Judah was way too fast, powerful and accurate for the 28-year-old, hurting him in the opening session and then dropping and stopping him at 1: 27 of the second-round. Southpaw Judah’s left hand got the job done. Now 43-9(30), Judah will certainly continue his comeback. Mungui, in being stopped for the third time in his career, falls to 12-8(4).

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Haye says he never wanted to fight Bellew, warns the beating his rival will take will be “one of the most brutal inside a British boxing ring”

Haye says he never wanted to fight Bellew, warns the beating his rival will take will be “one of the most brutal inside a British boxing ring”

Will proven heavyweight David Haye take out cruiserweight moving up Tony Bellew in double-quick time on March 4, or will “The Hayemaker” dish out a prologued beating? If you are a Bellew supporter and feel “Bomber” will get the win in his heavyweight debut, then it’s perhaps best you read no further.

For Haye, in speaking with IBTimes UK, warned how the “brutal beating” he will give Bellew in just under six week’s time will be so severe that people will “call into question why this fight actually happened.” Haye says that at no point did he go looking for Bellew as an opponent and that the one-sided nature of the fight, along with the brutal nature of the damage he inflicts on Bellew, will make the decision to allow this fight to happen appear “irresponsible.”

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