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.

Tomasz Adamek – an appreciation

Tomasz Adamek - an appreciation

Fight fans the world over who appreciate a gutsy warrior, will always have a soft spot for Polish tough guy Tomasz Adamek. The 39-year-old announced his retirement from the sport he helped make popular last night in his homeland, after suffering just the fifth defeat, and just the second stoppage defeat, of his hugely entertaining 17-year pro career.

Adamek was stunned in the 10th-round by Eric Molina, this loss coming in a fight that came at a time in his career when Adamek was half-way towards retirement anyway (which in no way detracts from Molina’s impressive, away from home win).

continue

Anthony Joshua responds to Tyson Fury criticism: Who does Fury kid himself he is – the second coming of Sugar Ray Robinson!

Anthony Joshua responds to Tyson Fury criticism: Who does Fury kid himself he is - the second coming of Sugar Ray Robinson!

In a recent interview, unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson Fury referred to upcoming IBF title challenger and 2012 Olympic gold medal winner Anthony Joshua as “useless” and “totally unable to defend himself.” Joshua, though he is not at all prone to engaging in anything approaching disrespectful trash-talk, hasn’t taken too long to respond. Speaking with Mail Online, the man who will challenge IBF ruler Charles Martin on Saturday night at The O2, suggests Fury concentrate on his own skills instead of criticising his.

continue

Eric Molina wants to make history as first Mexican heavyweight champ – how about a return fight with fellow Mexican/American Chris Arreola first?

Eric Molina wants to make history as first Mexican heavyweight champ - how about a return fight with fellow Mexican/American Chris Arreola first?

Proving that nice guys, and very hard working guys, can finish first, 33-year-old Eric Molina traveled to Krakow, Poland and scored the biggest win over his career at the expense of Tomasz Adamek last night. The Mexican/American known as “Drummer Boy” landed a booming right hand to head to take out of the former light-heavyweight and cruiserweight king; picking up the biggest win of his career to date.

continue

Anthony Joshua says the big fights against Haye, Fury and Wilder are “all fights for next year.”

Anthony Joshua says the big fights against Haye, Fury and Wilder are “all fights for next year.”

Unbeaten British heavyweight hope Anthony Joshua is a level-headed kind of guy, and he realises he has plenty to learn before he is ready for the division’s elite. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist may well rip the IBF version of the heavyweight championship from Charles Martin a week today, but Joshua – as he told Forever Sports magazine – will not feel anywhere close to satisfied. That sense of satisfaction will not come, Joshua said to the magazine, until he has become undisputed heavyweight champion.

continue

Floyd Mayweather Junior-Adrien Broner – could it actually happen?

YouTube video

In the days leading into last night’s Adrien Broner-Ashley Theophane fight – a match-up that had not set fight fans on fire – the main topic of discussion was not the fight itself, but the shenanigans Broner had, and was getting up to outside of the ring. Broner’s legal troubles generated plenty of ink, as did his failure to make weight for the Theophane fight, but “The Problem’s” seemingly very real problem in getting along with his one-time hero and “big brother,” Floyd Mayweather Junior really set tongues wagging and got keyboards pounded.

continue

AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu’s idea to allow pro boxers to compete at the 2016 Olympic games still attracting plenty of attention

Last month, AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu stated how he would like to see professional boxers boxing at Olympic level. The president said the sport’s governing body plans to change its rules and allow pro boxers the chance to qualify for and fight in Rio 2016. Theoretically, this would allow a top name pro, a world champion, like a Manny Pacquiao to box against an amateur in the forthcoming games.

continue

When the ex-marine broke the draft dodger’s jaw – Norton-Ali

When the ex-marine broke the draft dodger’s jaw - Norton-Ali

It might be something of a morbid subject, but Muhammad Ali, a man who literally gave everything he had in the pursuit of the greatness he achieved in the ring, is, despite the ghastly health problems he has been suffering with for over three decades, outliving his former ring rivals by a quite substantial amount of time. Ali, now aged 74 and more or less housebound, has lived longer than former foes including: Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Jimmy Ellis, Sir Henry Cooper, Jimmy Young, Ron Lyle, Jerry Quarry, Floyd Patterson and even his final ring rival, Trevor Berbick.

continue

Tyson Fury calls Anthony Joshua “useless,” says he “needs a miracle” to defeat Charles Martin

Tyson Fury calls Anthony Joshua “useless,” says he “needs a miracle” to defeat Charles Martin

(Photo by Anthony Causi) Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury says he wants unbeaten Londoner Anthony Joshua to defeat defending IBF titlist Charles Martin a week tomorrow, but the outspoken “Gypsy King” doesn’t think Joshua is close to good enough to do so. Talking (talking being what he has been doing far more than fighting over the past few months, as he awaits his return fight with Wladimir Klitschko) with The Mail, Fury branded the unbeaten 2012 Olympic gold medallist “useless,” with “no idea how to defend himself.”

continue

Shannon Briggs passes brain scan at Harley Street, demands fight with David Haye, again

Shannon Briggs passes brain scan at Harley Street, demands fight with David Haye, again

Back when he rudely, entertainingly, disrespectfully (depending on your view) crashed the press conference to officially announce David Haye’s May fight with Arnold Gjergjaj, veteran Shannon Briggs was told by Haye that in order to have any shot at fighting him he must first pass a UK brain scan.

“It doesn’t matter that you’ve been fighting where you’ve been fighting, on some Indian reservation or wherever, “ Haye said, adding how he had real doubts the 44-year-old would be medically cleared to box in the UK. Haye, like the rest of us, watched with alarm the sickening and prolonged beating Briggs took at the hands of Vitali Klitschko in 2010, this being Briggs’ last “real” fight.

continue

Joshua Clottey to return April 29th, promises his fans “something big” before retirement

Former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey is set to return to action in his homeland of Ghana on April 29th. The 38-year-old will face Brazilian Anderson Clayton, 43-10-2(37) in a doubleheader that will also see Joseph Agbeko in action. Clottey, 39-5(22) was last seen being outworked by Gabriel Rosado, losing on points over ten rounds in a good action fight in December.

continue