He was a pioneer of prizefighting in his country, fighting under the tutelage of Larry Foley.

[1] One of Slavin's first bouts was against Bob Fitzsimmons, who later became the world's first triple champion.

[2] In 1890, Slavin was named the world interim heavyweight champion by the National Police Gazette following his defeat of Joe McAuliffe.

The feud, which had started a decade earlier, was resolved in a closely contested fight for the first Commonwealth heavyweight title won by Jackson in May 1892.

[4] He fought Frank Craig on Monday 11, March 1895 at Central Hall in London.