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.

Joseph Parker’s promoter open to doubleheader on April 29: Joshua-Klitschko and Parker-Wilder

Joseph Parker's promoter open to doubleheader on April 29: Joshua-Klitschko and Parker-Wilder

New WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker seems to have plenty of options now that he has made his mark as the first New Zealander to have won heavyweight gold. Parker may have to face Hughie Fury in a mandatory first defence next spring, but the 24-year-old’s promotional outfit Duco Events are looking at all options – some of them massive.

David Higgins of Duco spoke with Sky Sports yesterday and he discussed everything from a Parker-Fury fight, to a Parker-Wilder unification fight, to a Joshua-Parker doubleheader on April 29, when AJ will fight former champ Wladimir Klitschko.

continue

Joseph Parker says he’ll fight Anthony Joshua “any time he wants,” but it could be Hughie Fury next for the new WBO champ

Joseph Parker says he'll fight Anthony Joshua “any time he wants,” but it could be Hughie Fury next for the new WBO champ

Unbeaten Joseph Parker, who captured the vacant WBO heavyweight title at the weekend with a close decision win over Andy Ruiz Jnr, is already looking at his first title defence. Parker and his team want a break first (the 24 year old has had an amazing 15 fights in just three years) but the first defence is being looked at for March or April of next year.

Parker, 22-0(18) was a very interested onlooker as IBF champ Anthony Joshua did the business against challenger Eric Molina and the New Zealander says he will fight AJ “any time he wants or [whenever] I want.” However, it is more likely Parker will defend against Hughie Fury next spring. Parker is confident he can beat either Brit, but the Joshua fight is the big one.

continue

Moorer-Cooper, Jefferson-Harris, Foreman-Lyle – is the brutal Whyte-Chisora scrap worthy of being ranked alongside these epic slugfests?

Moorer-Cooper, Jefferson-Harris, Foreman-Lyle - is the brutal Whyte-Chisora scrap worthy of being ranked alongside these epic slugfests?

Praise continues to come in, justifiable praise at that, for the quite incredible twelve-round slugfest British heavyweights Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora gave us on Saturday night in Manchester. Promoter Eddie Hearn called the give and take, two-way barnburner one of the best heavyweight fights he has ever seen. And this was not mere hyperbole intended to sell tickets – the fight is in the history books now.

However, there could be a part-two – providing the two rivals who knocked lumps out of each other for the full 36 minutes of blistering action have the energy and the desire to go through such hell again – as victor Whyte said yesterday.

continue

Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko is on for April, but will this fight deliver?

Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko is on for April, but will this fight deliver?

While IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua had an easy time of it in despatching challenger Eric Molina last night, fight fans are finding it harder and harder to shell out good money to see the 18-0(18) star bowl over opponents, one after the other, in easy, even scripted-looking “fights.”

Everyone agrees that AJ is badly in need of a test, but will this test come in his next fight – officially announced in the ring in Manchester last night, for April 29 against former king Wladimir Klitschko – or will the planned Wembley event prove to be yet another disappointment? Previous Joshua foes such as Kevin Johnson, Dillian Whyte, Charles Martin and Molina promised so much going in but, Whyte aside, they all flopped on fight night.

continue

Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr wins wide decision over Dominik Britsch, calls for GGG, Canelo

Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr wins wide decision over Dominik Britsch, calls for GGG, Canelo

Mexico’s former WBC middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Junior made a successful return to the ring last night as he won a workmanlike ten-round UD over Germany’s Dominik Britsch. Chavez Jnr, now aged 30 and boxing for the first time since July of last year, won by scores of 99-91 on all three cards. Chavez is now 50-2-1(32). Britsch, who gave it a real go, falls to 32-3-1(11).

Chavez made 168 pounds for last night’s fight, his lightest poundage in some time, and he threw plenty of punches and had no apparent stamina issues. Ridding himself of some of the rust he had picked up over the past 17 months, Chavez said after his win how he wants to remain active and “give the fans what they want.”

continue

Joshua way too good for Molina, scores 3rd-round KO to officially announce Klitschko fight

Joshua way too good for Molina, scores 3rd-round KO to officially announce Klitschko fight

IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua proved way, way, way too strong, powerful and effective for challenger Eric Molina tonight in Manchester. AJ improved to 18-0(18) with a seemingly easy 3rd-round stoppage win over a negative/intimidated Molina. Joshua’s powerful right hand decked Molina and the follow-up barrage brought about the end.

Time was 2:02. Molina falls to 25-4(19).

continue

Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte give us a Fight of The Year candidate!

Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte give us a Fight of The Year candidate!

In a great, great heavyweight slugfest that exceeded all the hype, Dillian Whyte closely out-pointed bitter rival Dereck Chisora via 12-round split decision tonight in Manchester. These two went AT IT from the first bell to the last and we have not seen heavyweight action like it in a long time.

Eventually, after too many switches of momentum to keep up with, younger man Whyte edged the thriller via scores of 115-113 and 115-114. The third judge had it 115-114 for Chisora.

continue

Luis Ortiz hammers David Allen to 7th-round defeat

Luis Ortiz hammers David Allen to 7th-round defeat

Tonight in Manchester on the big Joshua-Molina bill, unbeaten Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz hammered out a relatively routine 7th-round stoppage win over a tough but not too ambitious David Allen. The 37-year-old southpaw finally got the stoppage right at the end of the 7th, as he teed off with both hands having hurt the 24-year-old Brit.

Time was 2 minutes and 59-seconds of the 7th and Ortiz is now 27-0(23). Allen falls to 9-2-1(6).

continue

R.I.P Alejandro Gonzalez Junior: the former world title challenger murdered

R.I.P Alejandro Gonzalez Junior: the former world title challenger murdered

The boxing world is both shocked and saddened today at the death of former super-bantamweight contender and world title challenger Alejandro Gonzalez Junior. The 23 year old was murdered not far from his home in Guadalajara, Mexico on Friday. Reports say Gonzalez and two other people were “executed” gangland style and were found in a truck.

Gonzalez, most well known for giving Irish star and two-weight world champ Carl Frampton a real scare in Frampton’s US debut last July, was 25-3-3(15) as a pro and it was his dream to emulate his father, who was WBC featherweight king in the 1990, and become a world champion. Many people from the boxing world have paid tribute to Gonzalez Jnr, including Frampton who called him “One of the nicest guys I’ve shared a ring with.”

continue