Ojay Abraham was the first of five opponents Guyanese middleweight Howard `The Battersea Bomber’ defeated during the year 2000.On January, 18th Abraham’s hope of coming out the winner in the eight-round contest, was dashed in the second round.
Eastman produced a flurry of punches to force the referee to call a halt to the fight and earn a TKO victory at the Leisure Centre in Nottinghamshire, England. The gangly 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. He knocked out John Rice in the first round then.
He would later secure two shots at world titles but was unsuccessful on both occasions. Eastman was undefeated in 32 fights when he battled William Joppy on November 17, 2001 for the WBA version of the middleweight crown.
In a close encounter, Eastman dropped the American in the latter stage of the 12th round but lost by a majority decision.
A second chance was provided in February of 2005. The Guyanese lost by a unanimous decision to undisputed world champion Bernard `The Executioner’ Hopkins. Now a member of the Rastafarian faith, 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.