James Slater

James Slater has been a respected voice at Boxing247.com (formerly East Side Boxing) for over twenty years. Known for his deep knowledge of the sport, he covers everything from breaking news and historical features to exclusive fighter interviews. Throughout his career, Slater has spoken with world champions, rising prospects, and boxing legends alike, offering readers trusted insight and genuine passion for the fight game.

Ricky Burns to fight unification bout vs. Julius Indongo in April; also in the frame for possible Pacquiao super-fight

Ricky Burns to fight unification bout vs. Julius Indongo in April; also in the frame for possible Pacquiao super-fight

Scottish hero and reigning WBA 140-pound champ Ricky Burns has had his name mentioned as a possible Manny Pacquiao foe, what with the superstar Filipino set to embark on a “world tour” (with Australia’s Jeff Horn Pac-Man’s probable next challenger).

Obviously, such a fight would be massive, a real dream come true for Burns, 41-5-1(14), even more so if it took place in the UK. But first, according to STV News, 33-year-old Burns will face recently crowned IBF 140-pound champ Julius Indongo, probably on April 8, in a big unification clash.

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James DeGale: Me and Groves at Wembley would sell 80,000

James DeGale: Me and Groves at Wembley would sell 80,000

IBF super-middleweight champ James DeGale has made a habit of fighting away from home over the last few months, and if he can win in New York this Saturday when he will face WBC ruler Badou Jack, the southpaw will be fully deserving of a homecoming.

DeGale has his eye on taking such a homecoming at Wembley, and George Groves, the only man to have beaten him, is very much a target for “Chunky.” Groves of course fought Carl Froch at Wembley a couple of years ago, before a monstrous 80,000 crown – this number breaking all previous records. Now DeGale feels he and Groves in a return could equal those big numbers – but first he must beat Jack.

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David Price – Christian Hammer on Eubank Jnr-Quinlan PPV show

David Price - Christian Hammer on Eubank Jnr-Quinlan PPV show

Tickets for the much maligned ITV pay-per-view card headlined by Chris Eubank Junior-Renold Quinlan went on sale yesterday, and the card just became a little better in terms of value for money. British heavyweight David Price will support the main event in a fight with Christian Hammer, as annonced by promoter Erol Ceylan .

Price, still attempting to regain the status and respect he held before losing to Tony Thompson (twice) and Erkan Teper (both fighters subsequently failing drugs tests) will be taking a reasonably big step in the right direction against Hammer.

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Roach: Cotto always tells me if I was in his corner when he fought Mayweather, we would have won

Roach: Cotto always tells me if I was in his corner when he fought Mayweather, we would have won

Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto says he “rested a lot, healed” and is now “ready to fight” against vulnerable but dangerous slugger James Kirkland on February 25, and Cotto has also vowed to retire from boxing this year. A great career will come to an end, but the Kirkland fight aside, fans are asking who Cotto will fight in his final ring appearances.

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Andrzej Wawrzyk’s trainer: Huge upsets happen all the time

Andrzej Wawrzyk's trainer: Huge upsets happen all the time

There is no doubt about it, Polish heavyweight contender Andrzej Wawrzyk is a huge betting underdog entering his February 25 challenge of WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder. Indeed, if the once-beaten challenger pulls it off next month, the heavyweight division will witness a Hasim Rahman-Lennox Lewis or a Danny William-Mike Tyson-type upset.

Maybe if Wawrzyk wins, the upset will be ranked alongside even bigger shockers from the sport’s history. Indeed, most fans and experts seem to feel Wilder will get the win, by KO, and probably pretty quickly. This line of thinking has not stopped Wawrzyk and his team from believing, though.

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Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn possible for April 23 in Australia

Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn possible for April 23 in Australia

The proposed Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn fight in Australia is reportedly very close to being finalised. All that is required now, says promoter Bob Arum, is for the money to be right. Arum says Pac-Man is “on board” for the fight against the unbeaten Horn, but that the money needs to be put up before the fight can be signed off and made official.

“Manny thinks Jeff is a very live fighter – in the sense that he’s a come ahead guy and he says it will be a tremendous fight and a good challenge for him,”Arum told The Sunday Mail. “We are very excited about this fight. Jeff is a very good fighter – I don’t know if he beats Manny Pacquiao but he’ll give him a tremendous fight.”

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Shawn Porter wants Andre Berto for return foe

Shawn Porter wants Andre Berto for return foe

Last seen going to war with Keith Thurman in last summer’s FOTY candidate, former IBF welterweight champ Shawn Porter is ready to make his return to the ring soon. According to Porter’s father and trainer Shawn Porter Senior, who spoke with The Las Vegas Review Journal, fellow former welterweight champ Andre Berto is the preferred comeback opponent.

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Renold Quinlan unhappy, says he may walk on Eubank Jnr fight

Renold Quinlan unhappy, says he may walk on Eubank Jnr fight

It seems the scheduled return to boxing for terrestrial channel ITV has been bugged by problems – what with fans balking at the idea of having to pay for the first planned ITV pay show, between Chris Eubank Jnr and the little-known Renold Quinlan in a fight that will contest the lightly regarded IBO super-middleweight title.

As critics have already pointed out, the show, scheduled for February 4, has no announced under-card and the main event does not seem worthy of carrying a payment fee (with rumours saying this fee could be as high as £20). But now, to make matters even worse, Quinlan says he may pull out of the fight due to what he says is a distinct lack of exposure and media attention.

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Abel Sanchez says “nobody at 160 will last the distance with Golovkin,” but will these words come back to haunt him?

Abel Sanchez says “nobody at 160 will last the distance with Golovkin,” but will these words come back to haunt him?

While his critics – Carl Froch and Floyd Mayweather among them – argue how he should “prove himself” by taking a move up in weight, middleweight king Gennady Golovkin is sticking around at 160 for the time being. And, according to his trainer Abel Sanchez, not only is there no middleweight on the planet capable of defeating his fighter, there is not even a middleweight capable of lasting the full 12 rounds with Triple-G.

Speaking before the upcoming and anticipated Golovkin-Danny Jacobs fight, Sanchez says he hopes “Miracle Man” Jacobs keeps his word and comes to fight hard. If he does, though, the once-beaten New Yorker will have a second loss on his record, according to Sanchez.

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Briggs vs Oquendo ordered to meet for vacant WBA “regular” belt; Briggs wants fight in London

Briggs vs Oquendo ordered to meet for vacant WBA “regular” belt; Briggs wants fight in London

Veteran heavyweights Shannon Briggs and Fres Oquendo have been ordered by the WBA to fight for the vacant “regular” version of the belt. Briggs, who has been chasing a big fight for the longest time – first one with Wladimir Klitschko then one with David Haye – has now got one, sort of.

Though Briggs Vs. Oquendo will not set the sport alight, it is a fight that will contest a title, with the winner possibly going on to a bigger fight or fights. Negotiations between the two are set to begin (if no deal can be reached the fight will go to purse bids) but already Briggs is over the moon happy and planning a venue for the fight.

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