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.

Floyd Mayweather says he’s earned the right to call himself “T.B.E,” says that as of now he is “completely out” of boxing – no truth to Pacquiao rematch rumours

Floyd Mayweather says he’s earned the right to call himself “T.B.E,” says that as of now he is “completely out” of boxing - no truth to Pacquiao rematch rumours

Retired superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior is currently in the UK, embarking on a special (and very expensive to attend) “Victory Tour” where the man known as “Money” will meet and greet his UK fans. And, whilst here, the soon-to-be 39-year-old great spoke with BBC Sport.

Mayweather began by revealing how he has been offered “crazy numbers – nine figures” to fight again. Floyd said the offers have been coming in from a number of different countries around the world. But as of right now, Mayweather is “completely out” of boxing and has no plans to box again.

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Luis Ortiz to defend interim WBA heavyweight title against Alexander Dimitrenko on March 5th

Luis Ortiz to defend interim WBA heavyweight title against Alexander Dimitrenko on March 5th

It has been confirmed by ESPN.com, how Cuba’s Luis Ortiz will face German-based Russian Alexander Dimitrenko on March 5th. Southpaw Ortiz, 24-0(21) will be making the second defence of the interim WBA heavyweight title he won by stopping little-known Matias Ariel Vidondo last October. The 36-year-old who is known as “The Real King Kong,” is coming off a very impressive stoppage win over Bryant Jennings who he halted in the seventh-round in December.

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Happy Birthday, Muhammad Ali: The Greatest turns 74

Happy Birthday, Muhammad Ali: The Greatest turns 74

Boxing legend, icon and global superstar Muhammad Ali today celebrates his 74th birthday. And, judging by the numerous photos his daughters – May May amongst them – put up on FaceBook, the living legend had a great time celebrating last night.

Without doubt the single most important and influential athlete of the 20th Century, Ali has been battling Parkinson’s disease for over thirty years now, yet he has managed to keep going, even out-living a number of his former opponents: Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Jimmy Ellis, Ron Lyle and Sir Henry Cooper among them.

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The finest defensive boxer ever: Floyd Mayweather Junior? Willie Pep? Nicolino Locche? Pernell Whitaker?

The finest defensive boxer ever: Floyd Mayweather Junior? Willie Pep? Nicolino Locche? Pernell Whitaker?

On this day in 1964, in Norfolk, Virginia, Pernell Whitaker was born. Known today as one of the finest defensive fighters in the history of the sport – or arguably as the best-ever – the gifted southpaw achieved plenty as both an amateur and a pro boxer.

Winning a silver medal at the 1982 World Amateur Championships, Whitaker, who was soon given the nickname of “Sweet Pea” due to his slick skills, went one better and captured gold at The Pan American games the following year. Then, capping off a superb amateur career, Whitaker, as part of the celebrated U.S team of 1984, won gold at the Los Angeles Olympics.

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Ike Ibeabuchi a free man, plans to fight on Manny Pacquiao card in April

1990’s heavyweight contender Ike Ibeabuchi – who scored some very impressive victories in compiling a 20-0 (15) career before being incarcerated for sexual assault in July of 1999 – is a free man and is planning to return to the ring at age 43.

According to an exclusive by Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, Ibeabuchi – who was released by the Nevada prison system in February of 2014 and then, after being held by the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, becoming a free man in November of this year – plans to fight on the under-card of the upcoming April 9th card set for Las Vegas (with Pacquiao still to announce his opponent).

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Christmas Boxing Quiz

Here on Boxing Day, test your pugilistic knowledge with this boxing quiz!

Category One – Quotes:

1: Which former 1950’s world heavyweight champion once said “I ain’t old, I’m just ugly.”

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Holly Holm establishes herself in MMA with crushing 2nd-round KO over Ronda Rousey

YouTube video

A short while back, news broke – to the disdain of many boxing fans – how MMA phenomenon Ronda Rousey would grace the front cover of “The Bible of Boxing” itself, Ring Magazine. Can Rousey take over female boxing, the feature asked. Well, it seems we got a resounding answer last night in Melbourne, Australia, as Holly Holm, a former lightweight champion in female boxing, absolutely destroyed Rousey with a 2nd-round head-kick KO.

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Slugfest! And possible Upset of The Year: Olanrewaju Durodola stops Dmitry Kudryashov

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

On today’s big Russian bill in Kazan, little-known Olanrewaju Durodola of Nigeria scored a huge upset and made a name for himself by taking away Russian power puncher Dmitry Kudryashov’s unbeaten record with a stunning second-round stoppage win after 2-minutes and 29 seconds of the 2nd-round of a short but thrilling cruiserweight battle. Indeed, this little classic had plenty of bombs away!

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Ronda Rousey first ever MMA fighter to grace front cover of legendary Ring magazine – some fans outraged

Ronda Rousey first ever MMA fighter to grace front cover of legendary Ring magazine - some fans outraged

MMA superstar Ronda Rousey has caused quite a stir – or maybe that should be Oscar De La Hoya, the owner of Ring Magazine, has caused quite a stir – with the female fighter being the first MMA fighter to ever appear on the legendary publication’s front cover. Rousey will grace the cover of the January 2016 issue of “The Bible of Boxing,” and some boxing fans are somewhat upset at a practitioner of another sport, some say a rival sport, appearing on the cover of their “bible.”

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British boxing in the autumn/fall of 2015: ’tis the season of postponement

British boxing in the autumn/fall of 2015: ’tis the season of postponement

Fight fans, like all sports fans, have at one time or another been forced to accommodate the frustration of big events being postponed. But (is it just me?) it seems more and more fights are being postponed these days. Just now, news has broken how Kell Brook’s IBF welterweight title defence against Diego Chaves, originally set for October 24th, has been postponed due to a rib injury suffered by Brook.

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