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.

Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko penciled in for June 4th, Austria now the favorite to host the rematch

Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko penciled in for June 4th, Austria now the favorite to host the rematch

Tyson Fury had to travel abroad, to Dusseldorf, Germany for his shot at defending heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko and it seems likely the new champion will have to travel abroad again for his first defence. The Fury-Klitschko rematch has been worked on for some weeks now, but the date now being talked of is June 4th and the favorite to play host to the fascinating rematch is Austria – the country Klitschko has often used for his training base.

According to an article in The Mirror, Klagenfurt’s 32,000 capacity Woerthersee stadium is now the front-runner to host the fight.

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James DeGale, Badou Jack to co-headline April 30th card, De Gale-Medina, Jack-Bute

James DeGale, Badou Jack to co-headline April 30th card, De Gale-Medina, Jack-Bute

Rival super-middleweight champions James De Gale and Badou Jack want to fight one another in a unification clash, and the plan is for the two 168-pounders to meet later this year. But first the two will co-headline a Showtime card on April 30th. Southpaw DeGale will face Rogelio Medina, 36-6(30) while Jack will face what looks like a far stiffer challenge in former champ Lucian Bute, 32-3(25).

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Victor Ortiz-Andre Berto rematch set for April 30th

Victor Ortiz-Andre Berto rematch set for April 30th

Welterweights Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto will meet in a return meeting of their sensational 2011 battle, with the rematch set for April 30th in Carson, California, RingTV.com has reported. The two fighters, both past what they once were, could treat fans to another great action fight. Back in April of 2011, the two traded knockdowns in a classic that was eventually won by Ortiz via unanimous decision. That fight was for the WBC welterweight title, the rematch is a non-title affair.

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George Chuvalo looks back on his 50-year-old fight with Ali, still thinks he won!

George Chuvalo looks back on his 50-year-old fight with Ali, still thinks he won!

This March 29th marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Muhammad Ali-George Chuvalo world title fight. The fight, not widely expected beforehand to be too memorable – Ali, having trouble finding U.S venues willing to host his fights due to his political beliefs, only took on Chuvalo as a late replacement because he was also finding it tough getting the big fights – instead proved very interesting.

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Ruslan Provodnikov to face John Molina Junior in June – a can’t-miss slugfest

Ruslan Provodnikov to face John Molina Junior in June - a can’t-miss slugfest

Showtime yesterday announced a string of upcoming fights set for the summer and one of these match-ups caught the eye of any discerning fan of a slugfest: the June 11th Ruslan Provodnikov-John Molina Junior clash. Provodnikov – who will be making his Showtime network TV debut – against Molina Junior will surely feature plenty of drama, for however long the light-welterweight shootout lasts.

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David Lemieux fails to make weight, De La Rosa fight off

David Lemieux fails to make weight, De La Rosa fight off

In a disappointing turn of events, middleweight star David Lemieux failed to make weight for tomorrow night’s fight against James De La Rosa. The fight, agreed for a catch-weight of 163-pounds, fell apart when Lemieux came in at a heavy 165.6-pounds – really nowhere close to the agreed poundage.

De La Rosa, no doubt disgusted, walked away and refused to negotiate any deal with Lemieux that would allow the fight to go ahead with Lemieux at the higher weight. De La Rosa made weight. Lemiuex was hoping to bounce back from his October defeat to Gennady Golovkin but now he faces an unknown immediate future.

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Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller to return to action May 27th, will face Razvan Cojanu in New York

Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller to return to action May 27th, will face Razvan Cojanu in New York

Brooklyn’s Jarrell Miller injured his shoulder in his last fight, an impressive 7th-round stoppage of Donovan Dennis in January, yet the fast-talking, hard-hitting heavyweight who has been compared by some to the great Riddick Bowe, will not need a long layoff. Miller, 16-0-1(14) will face Romanian Razvan Cojanu on May 27th in Niagara Falls, New York, Miller’s co-promoter Greg Cohen told RingTV.com.

Miller, a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer, has plenty of talent, he is a great interview and, perhaps most importantly for a heavyweight who wishes to be fan-friendly, he can whack. Miller, with his unusual nickname of “Big Baby,” is one of the most interesting of the current young, unbeaten U.S heavyweights.

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Miguel Cotto-James Kirkland on June 18th?

Miguel Cotto-James Kirkland on June 18th?

Puerto Rican great Miguel Cotto will fight again on June 18th at The Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York; the only question – quite a big one – is who will the former four-weight ruler face? There has been talk of Cotto facing everyone from Juan Manuel Marquez to Andy Lee, and the latest rumour circulating on a number of boxing web sites says Cotto, 40-5(33) and coming off a competitive points loss to the much bigger and younger Canelo Alvarez, will face Texan slugger James Kirkland in June.

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The Heavyweight Division Shake-up: ranking today’s top-10

The Heavyweight Division Shake-up: ranking today’s top-10

Beginning with underdog Tyson Fury’s points win over a long dominant Wladimir Klitschko last November, the heavyweight division has seen a major shake-up. We currently have five fighters claiming at least a portion of the heavyweight title. The unbeaten Fury is recognized as THE champion – the man who beat the man and all that – but who is the best heavyweight today?

We’ve seen new talent aside from Fury crowned with a strap: Charles Martin, also unbeaten, and Cuban banger Luis Ortiz, himself sporting a perfect record recently being crowned. Added to these two is Lucas Browne, who made history as the first-ever Australian to hold a version of the heavyweight crown this past Saturday, with his thrilling win over Ruslan Chagaev.

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Jessie Vargas wants Tim Bradley rematch, fights with Danny Garcia, Kell Brook

Jessie Vargas wants Tim Bradley rematch, fights with Danny Garcia, Kell Brook

Once-beaten Jesse Vargas, who won the vacant WBO welterweight title with an impressive 9th-round stoppage of Sadam Ali this past Saturday, has a number of fighters in mind for future showdowns, but when it comes to the one man Vargas, 27-1(10) really wants, there is one stand out choice: Tim Bradley, the man who gave Vargas his sole career defeat.

Vargas, in speaking with RingTV.com, said he wants to take over where he left off in his June 2015 fight with Bradley, when he had Bradley hurt and in trouble in the 12th and final round (before referee Pat Russell made an error and, thinking he heard the bell when in fact it was the last ten-seconds warning, jumped in and ended the fight around ten seconds early). Vargas, though, says he will “knock Bradley out in four-rounds next time.”

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