Boxing News Boxing News
A day before a major statement is due to be released by Bernard Hopkins and Oscar de la Hoya as exclusively reported on this site, serious reports are circulating that undisputed middleweight champion Hopkins has granted Britain’s own top ranked middleweight Howard Eastman a shot at his championships.
Eastman’s first foray into true world class company came when he met William Joppy back in 2001. Eastman fought at his own pace against Joppy and dealt the Washington native a rare beating, stepping up the pace at will, he knocked Joppy down while having him bloodied and at his mercy. Unfortunately for Joppy, he received another beating at the hands of Hopkins. However, it could be seriously argued that even in defeat, Eastman’s performance against Joppy was more impressive than Hopkins’. Hopkins has previously been dismissive of Eastman, but the middleweight champion is a good judge of talent and has repeatedly complemented Eastman in recent times. Hopkins deserves credit for taking this fight over possibly easier options. Eastman will be anxious to exorcize the ghost of the Joppy fight and if he succeeds in doing so, after February 19th, England might be home to the undisputed middleweight champion.
