MIDDLEWEIGHT Howard `The Battersea Bomber’ Eastman had his last fight exactly one year ago. On June 18, 2014 in Kingston Jamaica, Eastman lost by unanimous decision to Jamaican Tseti `The Assassin’ Davis in an eight-rounder. The fight was a part of the Wray and Nephew Contender series. Eastman’s career commenced in 1994 when as a 23-year-old he TKOed John Rice in the first round. He won several titles including the Guyana, European and Commonwealth middleweight titles in a career that is in its 21st year.
The gangly middleweight from New Amsterdam made two unsuccessful attempts at world titles. The first was against American William Joppy for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) crown. The fight was held on November 17, 2001 and the Guyanese was undefeated in 32 bouts.
A close battle ensued and Joppy was dropped in the latter stages of the fight. However, the judges gave the American the victory via majority decision. Eastman was back in the world title hunt four years later when he challenged undisputed champion Bernard `The Executioner’ Hopkins.
He lost that fight by unanimous decision. To date the ageing warrior has battled 414 rounds in 62 fights. He has won 49 (38 KOs) and lost 13.