The series continues, looking at British fighters never to get their hands on a proper world title. Here's Howard Eastman's story...
Howard Eastman. As far as most British fight fans are concerned the name rings with a little frustration and regret that this talented Middleweight never got the chance to put a world championship belt around his waist.
Born in Guyana but based in Battersea throughout most of his career Eastman was blessed with a strong chin, fluid boxing skills - that included a crisp jab and good dig - as well as a powerful physique.
As a sparring partner Eastman made a name for himself in the shadows against the likes of Chris Eubank and Steve Collins - and he was later credited by Carl Froch for helping him develop.
He was good enough to win British, Commonwealth and European honours and should have been good enough to win at least a version of the Middleweight title.
But it wasn't to be.
The first chance came in 2001 for the WBA belt against William Joppy. Coming into the fight Eastman was riding off the back of a cracking stoppage of Robert McCracken (33-1 at the time) - who ironically went on to become his trainer.
Eastman blow a great opportunity. He was too content to showboat against a beateable foe and seemed troubled by conflicting advice in his corner between rounds. To demonstrate just what Eastman could - and should - have done, he had Joppy down in the final seconds.
Too little, too late and while Eastman felt he should have got the decision, he lost a majority points decision.
He should have stepped on the gas, should have emptied his tank. It was to be a familiar story.
After building himself back up and after what seemed like an eternity - as Bernard Hopkins looked for bigger paydays against bigger names - Eastman finally got the chance to take on the king of the Middleweight division in 2005.
It was a pretty dull fight, with Hopkins masterfully taking the fight away on the back foot. The best scorecard for Eastman read 112-116. In that fight Eastman showed a good chin, he showed he could compete at world level but it wasn't enough against an A grade fighter.
After that fight things seems to go downhill. In the immediate aftermath Eastman seemed bitter at Hopkins for not standing and trading. Perhaps he didn't credit Hopkins' intelligence?
Two world title eliminators followed.
In the the first, against Arthur Abraham (16-0 at the time), Eastman seemed to be outhustled by his younger opponent. Yet again there were flashes of brilliance as Howard had Abraham rocked with a couple of brutal shots.
Eastman thought he might get the nod but despite the contest being close the judges' scoring in Abraham's German backyard was disgraceful - 116-112, 115-113 and 119-110. Only the second card told the proper story.
Next Eastman took on the up-and-coming Edison Miranda (25-0 at the time) in an IBF eliminator and after a thrilling shoot-out he was stopped on his feet in the seventh round.
For those two fights reports have since emerged that Eastman had not been fully focused. He has not properly prepared and he paid the price.
Both of those fights - against relatively inexperience and dare I say, slightly one-dimensional fighters - should not have been lost.
The road to world glory seemingly over, Eastman then dropped back to British level. He used brilliant tactics to defuse the enigmatic Richard Williams for his old British belt but looked awful in scraping home to a points win in a Commonwealth clash against Evans Ashira.
The Ashira fight made Eastman unpopular with TV bosses and fans were becoming increasingly impatient.
In 2007, five months after beating Ashira, Eastman was dethroned at British level by Wayne Elcock, who wouldn't have been near Howard in his prime.
A brave and proud man, Eastman was unfortunate to lose a decision to the overhyped John Duddy in Northern Ireland three months later.
In 2008 Eastman returned to Guyana and since then has carved out a few wins as Guyanese Middleweight Champion. Last year he lost to six-fight novice Kwesi Jones on points over four rounds. Four rounds? It always did take Eastman a while to warm up and get going - and always in his own time.
While some might scoff at Eastman slipping from world level to British and then further down to the Guyanese title fights, the man is undeniably proud, stubborn and determined to march to the beat of his own drum.
As long as he's fit and not getting hurt - and he doesn't appear in denial about the level he is now fit to compete at - then fair play.
According to reports Eastman is currently in prison in Guyana. He was arrested on charges of possessing drugs but has pleaded not guilty and the case is ongoing.
Howard Eastman's boxing record stands at 46-7, with 36 knockouts.
I mentioned the frustration at Eastman not achieving his full potential but yet, he always appeared to have that glint in the eye and eccentricity that made this fighter a likeable, if infuriating, character. With his bleach blonde facial hair, flat full of parrots and extremely calm demeanour outside of the ring - and he was certainly no fool in the ring - I retain a sense of affection for Eastman.
Where Herol Graham and Michael Brodie had bad luck, I would put Eastman in the Kirkland Laing camp - exceptionally talented but lacking the drive of many inferior but more determined fighters, some of which have managed to get a world belt around their waist.
Howard Eastman. As far as most British fight fans are concerned the name rings with a little frustration and regret that this talented Middleweight never got the chance to put a world championship belt around his waist.
Born in Guyana but based in Battersea throughout most of his career Eastman was blessed with a strong chin, fluid boxing skills - that included a crisp jab and good dig - as well as a powerful physique.
As a sparring partner Eastman made a name for himself in the shadows against the likes of Chris Eubank and Steve Collins - and he was later credited by Carl Froch for helping him develop.
He was good enough to win British, Commonwealth and European honours and should have been good enough to win at least a version of the Middleweight title.
But it wasn't to be.
The first chance came in 2001 for the WBA belt against William Joppy. Coming into the fight Eastman was riding off the back of a cracking stoppage of Robert McCracken (33-1 at the time) - who ironically went on to become his trainer.
Eastman blow a great opportunity. He was too content to showboat against a beateable foe and seemed troubled by conflicting advice in his corner between rounds. To demonstrate just what Eastman could - and should - have done, he had Joppy down in the final seconds.
Too little, too late and while Eastman felt he should have got the decision, he lost a majority points decision.
He should have stepped on the gas, should have emptied his tank. It was to be a familiar story.
After building himself back up and after what seemed like an eternity - as Bernard Hopkins looked for bigger paydays against bigger names - Eastman finally got the chance to take on the king of the Middleweight division in 2005.
It was a pretty dull fight, with Hopkins masterfully taking the fight away on the back foot. The best scorecard for Eastman read 112-116. In that fight Eastman showed a good chin, he showed he could compete at world level but it wasn't enough against an A grade fighter.
After that fight things seems to go downhill. In the immediate aftermath Eastman seemed bitter at Hopkins for not standing and trading. Perhaps he didn't credit Hopkins' intelligence?
Two world title eliminators followed.
In the the first, against Arthur Abraham (16-0 at the time), Eastman seemed to be outhustled by his younger opponent. Yet again there were flashes of brilliance as Howard had Abraham rocked with a couple of brutal shots.
Eastman thought he might get the nod but despite the contest being close the judges' scoring in Abraham's German backyard was disgraceful - 116-112, 115-113 and 119-110. Only the second card told the proper story.
Next Eastman took on the up-and-coming Edison Miranda (25-0 at the time) in an IBF eliminator and after a thrilling shoot-out he was stopped on his feet in the seventh round.
For those two fights reports have since emerged that Eastman had not been fully focused. He has not properly prepared and he paid the price.
Both of those fights - against relatively inexperience and dare I say, slightly one-dimensional fighters - should not have been lost.
The road to world glory seemingly over, Eastman then dropped back to British level. He used brilliant tactics to defuse the enigmatic Richard Williams for his old British belt but looked awful in scraping home to a points win in a Commonwealth clash against Evans Ashira.
The Ashira fight made Eastman unpopular with TV bosses and fans were becoming increasingly impatient.
In 2007, five months after beating Ashira, Eastman was dethroned at British level by Wayne Elcock, who wouldn't have been near Howard in his prime.
A brave and proud man, Eastman was unfortunate to lose a decision to the overhyped John Duddy in Northern Ireland three months later.
In 2008 Eastman returned to Guyana and since then has carved out a few wins as Guyanese Middleweight Champion. Last year he lost to six-fight novice Kwesi Jones on points over four rounds. Four rounds? It always did take Eastman a while to warm up and get going - and always in his own time.
While some might scoff at Eastman slipping from world level to British and then further down to the Guyanese title fights, the man is undeniably proud, stubborn and determined to march to the beat of his own drum.
As long as he's fit and not getting hurt - and he doesn't appear in denial about the level he is now fit to compete at - then fair play.
According to reports Eastman is currently in prison in Guyana. He was arrested on charges of possessing drugs but has pleaded not guilty and the case is ongoing.
Howard Eastman's boxing record stands at 46-7, with 36 knockouts.
I mentioned the frustration at Eastman not achieving his full potential but yet, he always appeared to have that glint in the eye and eccentricity that made this fighter a likeable, if infuriating, character. With his bleach blonde facial hair, flat full of parrots and extremely calm demeanour outside of the ring - and he was certainly no fool in the ring - I retain a sense of affection for Eastman.
Where Herol Graham and Michael Brodie had bad luck, I would put Eastman in the Kirkland Laing camp - exceptionally talented but lacking the drive of many inferior but more determined fighters, some of which have managed to get a world belt around their waist.
Yes- Eastman was a real character and deserves to be much more famous than he is. His iron physique and unusual appearance (bleached beard)made him look really intimidating in the ring. This was a publicity trick which he should have played on more often. I think he was a very skillful boxer (one of Britain's best ever middleweights) who was just not QUITE good enough to dominate fights at the very top world-class level (Bernard Hopkins standard). But he could definately mix it at the top level and was plenty capable of winning a version of the world title and I think as good (probably better) than well known names such as Eubank, Benn, Collins. He took on harder opponents at the peak of his career and did not get many opportunities due to his low-profile compared to these fighters.
ReplyDeleteYou Should see the guy now a total disgrace to himself he is selling out all his personal belongings to get by smokes marijuana most of the time on the road corners dresses like a drug addict walks with a long piece of wood he calls a staff i really feel sorry for him i live in New Amsterdam and its sad to see
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