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.

Andre Ward says Team-GGG didn’t want to fight until 2018, so he moved up to 175

Andre Ward says Team-GGG didn't want to fight until 2018, so he moved up to 175

According to Andre Ward, we fans could have, indeed, would have, seen a super-fight between he and middleweight king Gennady Golovkin this year had Team-GGG been willing to take the 50-50 fight that was offered to them. Speaking with TMZ Sports, Ward, now the unified light-heavyweight champion, said Golovkin was not willing to fight him until 2018, so he made the decision to move up in weight and challenge Sergey Kovalev.

“I think the fight with Golovkin should have happened before the Kovalev fight,” Ward said. “That fight was talked about, our teams had some correspondence, and it just didn’t work out. I’m not here to expose them or throw them under the bus or nothin’ like that. But I will be honest with the fans because there is a lot of confusion out there. They didn’t want the fight. They flipped it and said we were ducking and dodging. If you read the e-mail [of an offer for the fight] it was clear – we gave them a 50-50 split so there wouldn’t be any arguments.”

continue

Tyson Fury – what a difference a year makes

Tyson Fury – what a difference a year makes

This time last year, British heavyweight Tyson Fury was on top of the world. Today he is pretty close to rock bottom. It was exactly 12 months ago today when heavy underdog (4-1 against) Fury travelled to Düsseldorf, Germany to challenge the world champ Wladimir Klitschko – a heavyweight great who had dominated for over a decade, last losing a fight way, way back in 2004.

Despite the huge odds against him, Fury feinted, boxed, taunted, tricked and at times punched his way to an upset decision victory. Klitschko, who may or may not have had a rare off-night (we may never know if Klitschko can perform better against Fury as now, a rematch looks unlikely) couldn’t figure out the taller, quicker man. The win ranks as one of the finest in British boxing history and Fury returned home a hero. For a while.

continue

Dominant Lomachenko wants unification fight with Francisco Vargas next

Dominant Lomachenko wants unification fight with Francisco Vargas next

Vasyl Lomachenko is looking close to unbeatable right now; which may seem a strange statement as the reigning WBO 130 pound champion has lost a fight, and all that many fights ago at that. But the Lomachenko who lost a close decision to an over-the-weight and very crafty and tough Orlando Salido – in what was just Lomachenko’s second pro outing– was not on display last night in Las Vegas.

Lomachenko, expected by some to have some problems, maybe, with the power of Nicholas Walters, instead put on a dazzling boxing clinic that made “The Axe Man” say No Mas after seven rounds (this one day after the 36th anniversary of the most infamous quit job in boxing history, when Duran threw up his hands against Sugar Ray Leonard in their return bout). But there was no mystery over why Walters quit: he was getting schooled and he knew it. Lomachenko made a good fighter look very ordinary.

continue

Terry Flanagan far too good for Orlando Cruz, scores 8th-round stoppage win – Lomachenko fight next?

Terry Flanagan far too good for Orlando Cruz, scores 8th-round stoppage win – Lomachenko fight next?

History was denied last night in Cardiff, as Puerto Rico’s Orlando Cruz’ attempts at becoming the first openly gay pro boxer to win a world title were thwarted by defending WBO lightweight ruler Terry Flanagan. Flanagan, one of the best yet seemingly underrated fighters in the sport today, crushed Cruz in the 8th-round, scoring two knockdowns that prompted the referee to call a halt.

Flanagan, who retained his title for the fourth time, is now 32-0(13). Cruz, who had moved up to lightweight, falls to 25-5-1(13).

continue

Fights we want to see in 2017

Fights we want to see in 2017

2016’s boxing year was okay, if not great. We saw some excellent fights – see Keith Thurman-Shawn Porter, Orlando Salido-Francisco Vargas, Jamie Conlan-Anthony Nelson – and there is still a little over a month to go before the end of the year. But some experts, Oscar De La Hoya for example, has not been happy with how the sport played out this year, even calling 2016 “one of the worst years in boxing history.”

Those fans who agree that 2016 was a disappointment can look ahead to a potentially great 2017 for the sport. Already we have confirmed fights to get excited about, including Keith Thurman-Danny Garcia, David Haye-Tony Bellew and more, and also a strongly pencilled in Wladimir Klitschko-Anthony Joshua fight. And with the continued rise of future stars such as Vasyl Lomachenko, Artur Beterbiev, Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and others set to feature in further big fights, 2017 could really be a big fistic year.

continue

The Hottest Heavyweight Match-Ups To Look Forward To In The Next Six Months

The Hottest Heavyweight Match-Ups To Look Forward To In The Next Six Months

Pretty much all year, we’ve missed out on seeing anything approaching great heavyweight action. With world champ Tyson Fury battling his demons and unable to fight at all in 2016, it was left to belt-holders Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua to keep the fans entertained. But even Wilder was forced to take the second half of the year off due to injury, while Joshua, who became IBF champ in April (in a woefully forgettable fight with Charles Martin; remember him?) retained just once – with a second defence, against Eric Molina, set for December.

So, a pretty dull year for the heavyweight division so far. But over the coming six months or so, starting with this December, fight fans have some potentially thrilling heavyweight match-ups to look forward to. With Fury’s belts vacated, rival heavyweights got busy trying to get themselves a piece of the action. As a result, we have some interesting title fights coming up.

continue

If Bellew somehow pulls it off and beats Haye – does he stay at heavyweight?

If Bellew somehow pulls it off and beats Haye – does he stay at heavyweight?

What if reigning WBC cruiserweight boss Tony Bellew does what he insists he will and defeats David Haye next March? It might seem like a big if in the opinion of many fans, but “Bomber” (a far more palatable nickname to the new one Haye has given to his rival!) can certainly punch very hard – at least he can as a 200-pounder. There is definitely a chance, call it an outside chance if you want, that Bellew could catch Haye on the chin and cause the sensation.

continue

Shannon Briggs furious over Haye-Bellew announcement, says he will sue Haye for pulling out of agreed fight with him

Shannon Briggs furious over Haye-Bellew announcement, says he will sue Haye for pulling out of agreed fight with him

While the British boxing scene is buzzing over today’s official announcement that David Haye and Tony Bellew will meet in what appears to be a very genuine grudge-match next March, not everyone is happy or thrilled at this news. Shannon Briggs, who was to have fought Haye, is absolutely livid right now.

As soon as he heard the news regarding the March 4 fight, Briggs wasted no time taking to social media to let his anger, and his intentions, known. Briggs – who with the recent drugs test shocker regarding Lucas Browne, appears to be without any fight to speak of – says he plans to sue Haye, that he had a contract to fight Haye.

continue

Haye vs Bellew: “Hayemaker” Haye vows to smash “Bellend” Bellew!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7dhTvlFc1A

As fight fans may have read by now, David Haye and Tony Bellew will meet on March 4 at The O2 in London. A grudge-match between two vocal and exciting fighters who have a history (they sparred, many years ago, with differing versions from both on what transpired), Haye Vs. Bellew is a fight that is all but guaranteed to end by KO, one way or the other.

continue