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.

Dream Fight: Julio Cesar Chavez Vs. Floyd Mayweather – J.C says he would have f****d Floyd up!

Dream Fight: Julio Cesar Chavez Vs. Floyd Mayweather – J.C says he would have f****d Floyd up!

There were plenty of boxing greats in Las Vegas last night to attend the big Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward fight, with big names from past and present on hand to watch the light-heavyweight title showdown. One of these great fighters was living legend Julio Cesar Chavez, the greatest Mexican fighter in history according to most experts and fans alike.

And while he was in town, the former multi-weight king was asked – and not for the first time – how he felt he would have done, in his prime, in a fight with 49-0 master Floyd Mayweather Junior. Chavez, who twice defeated Floyd’s uncle and trainer Roger, smiled as he told Fight Hype how, at 140-pounds, he would have “F****d him up.”

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Lennox Lewis: I feel kind of bad for Wladimir Klitschko

Lennox Lewis: I feel kind of bad for Wladimir Klitschko

Former undisputed heavyweight king Lennox Lewis says that although the current heavyweight division is “wide open,” Wladimir Klitschko remains the man to beat. Speaking with The New Zealand Herald, Lewis said that with Tyson Fury unable to fight (for well-documented reasons we all know about) Klitschko is “still the man to beat right now.”

Lewis, who of course called it quits on a great career after a win over Wladimir’s brother Vitali, says he “feels bad” for Klitschko, who is unable to try and avenge his decision loss to the troubled Fury.

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George Groves pounds out 12-round decision win over ultra-tough Eduard Gutknecht – Gutknecht hospitalised

George Groves pounds out 12-round decision win over ultra-tough Eduard Gutknecht – Gutknecht hospitalised

Last night in his native London, super-middleweight contender George Groves pounded out a wide 12-round unanimous decision over an incredibly tough and game Eduard Gutknecht. Scores were 119-109 twice and 119-110. Groves is now 25-3(18). Gutknecht, really a light-heavyweight, falls to 30-5-1(13).

The unfortunate aftermath to the fight is the most important thing right now, however. The German, who really shipped some heavy shots from Groves, collapsed in his dressing room shortly after the brutal and one-sided fight had ended. BBC Sport reports how the 34-year-old was taken to hospital on a stretcher. At this time, the only thing that matters is the health and well-being of Gutknecht.

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Floyd Mayweather “The Knockout Artist” disappeared after stoppage win over Gatti

Floyd Mayweather “The Knockout Artist” disappeared after stoppage win over Gatti

Although he is retired (although it’s apparent few truly believe he is) superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior continues to make the news on a regular basis. Now a promoter, the 39-year-old all time great recently closed the door with a slam on a rematch with Manny Pacquiao; a pointless and unneeded return in the opinion of not only Mayweather but all those fans who have not forgotten how one-sided, and dull, the May 2015 fight was.

And it was while talking about how happy he is as a promoter and how content he is with how his career played out (49-0 of course) that “Money” explained just why he became the smart defensive fighter he is best known – for good or for bad- for being. There was a time when Mayweather, when he was known as “Pretty Boy,” delivered plenty of pretty knockout wins/stoppages (see his destruction of Diego Corrales, and of Arturo Gatti).

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Andre Ward: We will see who is the puncher

Andre Ward: We will see who is the puncher

Most people understandably see tomorrow night’s big fight between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward as a classic Boxer Vs. Puncher showdown. Kovalev, the world light-heavyweight ruler, is the puncher, Ward, the former dominant super-middleweight king, the boxer. But is there a chance their roles could be swapped in Las Vegas?

Ward, as quoted by BBC Sport, suggests as much, stating how “we will see who is the puncher” in this fascinating match-up. Ward warned how Kovalev, should he make any mistakes in the early going of what has been called by many the biggest fight of 2016, will “be made to pay.”

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Boxing legend Roy Jones Junior lists the “super-six” greats he modelled himself on

Boxing legend Roy Jones Junior lists the “super-six” greats he modelled himself on

Forget his last twenty or so ring performances, compiled over the last dozen or so years, but it is undeniable how Roy Jones Junior was once a very special fighter indeed. During his prime years of 1993 to 2003, when Jones really did sparkle, the former multi-weight king was the King of Kings, appearing to be all but unbeatable.

If only Jones had retired on top, say after his historically brilliant win over heavyweight titlist John Ruiz. Still, as much damage as Jones has done to his reputation and legacy – did he really get stopped by the likes of Glen Johnson, Danny Green and Enzo Maccarinelli – his extraordinary talent was once undeniable.

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Groves vs Gutknecht tonight – George Groves talks possible GGG fight, says Golovkin would struggle at 168

Groves vs Gutknecht tonight - George Groves talks possible GGG fight, says Golovkin would struggle at 168

With Carl Froch out of the running for a fight with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin (if he was ever in the running in the first place), two other British super-middleweights have said they would relish the opportunity of facing GGG up at 168 pounds. James DeGale recently said a fight with Golovkin would be his “dream fight,” and George Groves – the only man to have beaten DeGale as a pro – tells The Star that he would take a fight with the feared puncher.

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Deontay Wilder “fully healed, punching with both hands again”

Deontay Wilder “fully healed, punching with both hands again”

Could 2017 see two big heavyweight comebacks? While nobody knows if and when Tyson Fury might box again, fans hope his return will happen, and next year. But one man who says he will definitely take over where he left off with a return next year is WBC champ Deontay Wilder, who of course is aching to get it on with Fury.

While a Wilder-Fury fight might not take place next year (we all hope it will happen, naturally) Wilder says he fully expects he will fight again before too many months have passed in 2017. Speaking with Sky Sports, the unbeaten champ said the injuries he picked up in his last fight, a July stoppage win over the tough (and hard-headed) Chris Arreola, have “fully healed,” and that he is back “punching with both hands.”

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Floyd Mayweather closes the door on a Pacquiao rematch, says he has no need to fight again

Floyd Mayweather closes the door on a Pacquiao rematch, says he has no need to fight again

It seems Manny Pacquiao’s recently donned jacket was and is a nifty fashion accessory and nothing more; even if Pac-Man knew this to be the case or not. Pacquiao’s jacket had, sewn into the lining, pictures of himself and Floyd Mayweather in fighting pose, and the Tweet Pac-Man wrote accompanying the picture asked “Like my jacket!”

Many people felt the jacket, the Tweet and the short message meant a rematch between the two superstars was on the cards, or at least Manny felt one was on the cards. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Mayweather was a ringside guest at Pacquiao’s November 5 fight with Jessie Vargas. But it seems none of this matters at all, because Manyweather, who calls all the shots, has insisted, again, that he has zero interest in fighting again – against anyone.

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R.I.P Alex Stewart: 1964-2016

In sad and shocking news it has been reported how 1980’s and ’90’s heavyweight contender Alex Stewart has died at the far too premature age of just 52. Reports are sketchy at this point and Stewart’s cause of death has not been confirmed. A pure puncher and a genuinely exciting fighter, Stewart was also a softly-spoken, even shy person who some felt was too much of a gentle soul to be a prize fighter.

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