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“I’m going to win. That is the only way for me.”-Howard Eastman.
An official conference call was held for the media last Friday in England for middleweight contender Howard Eastman to answer questions pertaining to his future challenge to undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins. The promotion is named “Exxecution Day,” but Eastman is in no mood to simply arrive and provide himself as the sacrifice for Hopkins’ latest record middleweight title defense. Howard Eastman has big plans, fuelled all the more by his first world title chance that fell away from him at the hands of William Joppy. It is now or never for Eastman as he becomes the first of a precious few who will have the chance to fight Hopkins for the prestigious middleweight crown as Hopkins has already turned forty years of age. I was on hand for this media conference and the first five questions you see in this transcript were asked by me on behalf of Saddoboxing.com.
Don’t miss this essential insight into the mindset of Howard Eastman, perhaps the mext middleweight champion of the world.
Howard Eastman on the William Joppy fight:
HE: The William Joppy fight was an experience; you know what I mean? The fight against Bernard Hopkins on February 19th will be completely different. I can guarantee 100% that I will not make the same mistakes twice.
Eastman on Hopkins vs. de la Hoya:
HE: I thought that Oscar de la Hoya against Bernard Hopkins was a mismatch. Everyone in boxing knows that was all about financial things.
Eastman on Hopkins fighting him:
HE: I don’t think he had any choice but to fight me. I have been number one contender for some time and then mandatory. I have dominated Britain and Europe. So next level for me was to fight for a world title.
Eastman when asked about Hennessy Sports and other promoters such as Frank Warren:
HE: Since my last world title challenge to William Joppy, I have been with Hennessy Sports. They are excellent. They have spearheaded my return back to the world rankings, put me into contention and landed me the big fight. All praise to the Hennessy camp. In terms of Frank Warren, I have no dealings with him. If you want to compare the two you have to look at the fighters in both camps. Hennessy Sports has a lot of genuinely talented kids.
On if he wins the fight:
HE: I’m going to win. That is the only way for me. There is no other way. I want to fight all the best fighters they got out there. I’m not going to hide from no-one. A lot of champions hold belts and fight guys not worth fighting. But to be the best you have got to beat the best. You got to challenge all the name fighters.
Here is the rest of the media transcript:
Eastman on only fighting for the WBC title:
HE: I am not that disappointed. He has his reasons. You would have to ask him about those. I am just happy I have the opportunity to fight for one of the belts and bring it back home.
Eastman on training in the States:
HE: I am training in the States, in his backyard. Why not get used to his backyard before I beat him up in it?
Eastman on Eastman:
HE: I am not very easy to hit. I can give a punch – I can take a punch. Hopkins is going to be someone he has never fought before. He has never faced someone with the power I can unleash plus I can take any power punch he hits me with.
Eastman on Hopkins:
HE: Howard Eastman never studies an opponent. I haven’t been following Bernard Hopkins career, I have been too busy looking after my own career.
Eastman’s prediction:
HE: I am going to knock him out in five rounds
On where his faith comes from:
HE: I have been through a lot. All the struggles I have been through have made me very religious. I turned to god.
On being trained by Robert McCracken:
HE: Robert is from the old school. There are a lot of trainers in Britain who are not of his standard. My history is with trainers like the Mancini’s and Robert comes from that background. His thinking is old school and that refreshes me. I like it. He always gets me focussed. We are going to be so intense in everything we do. In terms of execution every single thing is going to be sharp, sharp, razor sharp. You are going to see the best of Howard Eastman in this fight.
On his confident prediction:
HE: I get my instructions from god. What I do is no joke. I have been boxing since I was six. How many kids do you know who have boxed from the age of six? I can tell you that I am going to win in five rounds. No-one will deny my destiny. If any obstacles pop up in the way we will just pop them down again. That’s right!
James MacDonald can be reached at ac009b5460@blueyonder.co.uk
