James Slater

Harlem: Host To Boxing Royalty In A Golden Age (A work of fiction)

robinson464633It’s the middle of a magical year in a magical decade and we are in a magical place for boxing. Only boxing royalty is present this night, that and the finest, most gifted artists, writers and performers of the day. The one and only Miles Davis, enveloped in silhouette, plays for the guest of honour, while Sugar Ray’s fellow boxing masters, the ones he has personally invited to his latest post-fight celebration, sit and drink and revel and talk boxing and money and fame and immortality as they bask in the glory they have each long since grown accustomed to enjoying.

Archie Moore, the seemingly ageless light-heavyweight champion, sits at the piano, almost silently tickling the keys as accompaniment to the heavenly playing of the jazz great. Joe Louis, arguably the finest heavyweight of all time, sits and sips on a short, “The Brown Bomber” looking slightly uneasily towards the door as he does so. Then the music stops and our hero makes his entrance.

continue

Kell Brook’s “Big Name” In Planned September Fight: Might It Be Mosley?

mosley45445Unbeaten Kell Brook put a frustrating number of months behind him last night in Hull, in stopping tough rival Carson Jones in the 8th-round of a largely one-sided fight. Looking “Special” indeed at times, Brook – who impressed with his left jab and his right hooks to the head – advanced to 30-0(20). Perhaps more importantly, is the “big name” an “excited” Eddie Hearn spoke of having lined up for Brook in Sheffield in his next bout in September.

Already, fans are wondering who this big name will be (Hearn is expected to make announcement this week). Brook’s main goal is of course to fight for and win a world title, but the September bout doesn’t figure to be a title shot. Instead, look for Brook to attempt to bag himself a valuable, statistically impressive win over a “name” and then get his long-awaited shot at world glory.

continue

Haye Vs. Fury News – Haye’s Trainer Adam Booth: “10,000 Tickets Sold In Three Hours”

Heavyweight rivals David Haye and Tyson Fury continued their war of words on Sky Sports’ Ringside show tonight, just an hour or so after their heated press conference in London. The fight, one that Fury promoter Mick Hennessey is calling a “super-fight,” all set for Manchester on September 28th, is sure to attract a massive audience – with the pre-bout build-up already proving hugely entertaining.

continue

Haye Vs. Fury Official – Press Conference To Announce Showdown Set For Thursday In London

haye54It’s finally official: British heavyweight rivals Tyson Fury and David Haye will fight on September the 28th in Manchester.

Haye signed the contract for the fight yesterday, and now Fury has agreed to the exciting-looking match-up that may well captivate British audiences.

“David Haye and Tyson Fury, both world-ranked, charismatic and dangerous, have agreed to a highly anticipated domestic showdown on Saturday 28th September at the Manchester Arena,” a statement from Hayemaker Promotions read. “It marks not only the biggest heavyweight encounter of 2013, but also the biggest fight staged in Britain in many years.”

continue

Gennady Golovkin: Superstardom Awaits!

YouTube video
Matthew Macklin: ‘Golovkin Is Way Way Better Than Martinez’

Who could have possibly failed to have been mightily impressed by Gennady Golovkin’s one-punch KO over the very experienced Matthew Macklin last night? “GGG,” was being spoken about as the single hardest puncher in boxing today BEFORE his brutal body shot win over the brave and gutsy, and usually durable Macklin – now, fans everywhere are even more excited about the softly spoken fighter from Kazakhstan who holds the WBA and IBO 160-pound titles.

Many good experts felt Macklin – who had pushed Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez hard in previous title challenges – would test the unbeaten 31-year-old. Instead, Golovkin, 27-0(24) won in sensationally devastating style. But the ride could be just beginning for “GGG,” his team and his ever-growing number of fans. Traditionally, boxing fans adore a puncher, to the extent that they are ready and willing to part with hard cash to see one in action. Golovkin, as surely everyone agrees, is a pure puncher. More than that, though, Golovkin has skills, speed, class and a fine boxing brain. The sky really is the limit for him.

continue

Plenty To Talk About After Broner-Malignaggi Scrap

YouTube video
Judging by the number of comments ESB readers have been posting with regards to last night’s 12-round SD win Adrien Broner scored over Paulie Malignaggi, the fans have plenty to say and discuss about the fight and the whole event. Firstly, Broner, the new WBA welterweight champ, has further alienated many fans with his crass behaviour, both in and out of the ring – hitting on the break, disrespectful showboating and, worst of all, kicking during the action – and “The Problem” shows no signs of ever earning the respect of many of these fans.

Last night’s split decision, which came as quite a shock, especially to those “experts” who “knew” Broner would KO Malignaggi, has also caused some talk. Broner deserved the win, but what would have happened if referee Benjy Esteves had taken a point or two away from Broner for his many infringements? Can Malignaggi, who said he felt the fight was close and could have gone either way, be justified in complaining over how the split decision handed in by the three judges didn’t wind up being a draw or even a win for him? (had a point been taken away from Broner for his classless kicking stunt, Malignaggi would have got a draw on two cards, thus retaining his belt and scoring a major upset to the Broner applecart.)

continue

Iran “The Blade” Barkley Speaks: 25-Years After His Stunning Upset KO Of Thomas Hearns

barkley464 (1)Just over 25-years ago, Iran “The Blade” Barkley, he of the mean streets of The Bronx, met Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, he of the equally tough neighbourhoods of Detroit – and a sensational middleweight title fight was witnessed.

Hearns, by 1988 already a living legend, has just made history by becoming the first ever four-time “world” champion in boxing (welterweight, light-middle, light-heavy and then middleweight). Barkley, who had been handily out-pointed by the talented Sumbu Kalambay in his only other world title challenge, was a pretty big underdog entering the ring at The Las Vegas Hilton that summer’s evening. Still, sage boxing people knew Barkley was as tough as he was dangerous. To the shock of millions, Barkley showed just how tough and dangerous he was, after taking a most ferocious beating at the hands of the champion.

continue

Have Gloves Will Provide Excitement! The Ten Best Value-For-Money Fighters Today – And Their Chances Of Going Into The Hall Of Fame

khan222Fight fans these days don’t often get guaranteed excitement/value for money; not even if they pony up some serious dough. Too many times, a hardworking fan has parted with something like £20 in the U.K or $55 in the U.S, only to be left feeling disappointed. Make no mistake, the Pay-Per-View industry has proved to be a serious gamble on many occasions.

But the following fighters – in the opinion of this writer, anyway – ALWAYS give fans value for money and never leave them feeling aggrieved after having paid so as to view.

Want almost certain guaranteed bang for your buck (as the saying goes), or punches for your pound? Then watch these guys fight!

continue

“Twice Bitten,” The Story Of Holyfield-Tyson II A KO Read

holyfield_tyson6442Review by James Slater: New York Post writer George Willis has delivered a fine read regarding the true story regarding one of the blackest days in boxing history. Willis, having done impeccable research, has produced the definitive read on the infamous second meeting between heavyweight legends Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.

Known universally as “The Bite Fight,” the spectacle that unfolded in Las Vegas in June of 1997 shocked everyone; fans, experts and casual viwers alike. Willis, in his addictive book, explains why.

More than just a book to cash in on the shocking behaviour of the then hugely unhinged Tyson, “Twice Bitten” also serves as a comprehensive biography of both heavyweight greats. With good coverage devoted to the formative years of both men, including when Tyson and Holyfield met for the first time, and the time the “obsession” Holyfield had of fighting Tyson first reared its head, Willis gives readers plenty of new information: such as, how a member of Team Tyson took to dying his white shorts black when no black ones were at hand, and what Holyfield trainer Don Turner feels about religion and boxing, and his take on God “picking the other guy to win.”

continue

Big Weekend Of T.V Boxing Ahead For U.K Fight Fans – And One Writer’s Pre-Fight Predictions

stevenson22Fight fans in the UK are in for a huge night of televised boxing this coming Saturday night/early Sunday morning – those fans who have access to BoxNation and Sky Sports especially, although there will be terrestrial action on Channel 5.

BoxNation have secured the rights to the third instalment of the Marco Huck-Ola Afolabi series, which will take place in Berlin, Germany. Then, in the early hours of Sunday morning, BoxNation viewers will be able to tune in to the anticipated thriller that is Marcos Maidana Vs. Josesito Lopez, the action coming from Carson, California. This card also features the WBA interim title fight between light-middleweights Erislandy Lara and Alfredo Angulo.

continue