MIDDLEWEIGHT Guyanese boxer Howard `Battersea Bomber’ Eastman needed less than one round to take out Paul Wesley when the two met at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre in Birmingham, England on January 31, 1996. Eastman’s heavy-handedness caused referee Jim Pridding to rush in and stop the contest at two minutes and 32 seconds of the opening round, of a scheduled six-rounder. The win improved his record to 10-0.

The lanky Eastman was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice but fought out of England during the early and middle stages of his career. The former European and Commonwealth champion had his first pro fight on March 6, 1994. When he knocked out John Rice in the first round.
He would later secure two shots at world titles but was unsuccessful on both occasions. Eastman was undefeated in 32 fights when he clashed with William Joppy on November 17, 2001 for the WBA middleweight title.
In a keenly contested battle, Eastman dropped the American in the latter stage of the 12th round but surprisingly lost by a majority decision.
He was provided a second chance at a world title in February of 2005. The Guyanese lost by unanimous decision to undisputed world champion Bernard `The Executioner’ Hopkins. Eastman is still active and turned 44 last December 8.
From a total of 62 fights, Eastman has won 49 (38 KOs) and lost 13.