HOWARD Eastman claimed the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental middleweight title on July 10, 1999. The New Amsterdam- born Guyanese was able to secure the coveted crown after Teymuraz Kekelidze of Georgia retired at the end of round six.The fight was held at the Elephant and Castle Centre in London and was the fourth of six bouts Eastman had that year. In his previous contest, the Guyanese had taken the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super middleweight title.
Eastman successfully defended his British middleweight title after the battle against Kekelidze.
Known as `The Battersea Bomber’ 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.
Eastman secured two shots at world titles but was unsuccessful in both. He clashed with William Joppy on November 17, 2001 for the WBA middleweight title but lost by a majority decision in a close encounter.
His second chance came against undisputed world champion Bernard `The Executioner’ Hopkins in February of 2005. The Guyanese lost by a unanimous decision.