Howard Eastman v Evans Ashira RBR - Commonwealth Middleweight Title

Tonight's fight on Sky Sports is the continued return of Howard Eastman looking to add the Commonwealth Middleweight belt to his British title which he won in December. Facing him is an equally well travelled Evans Ashira, most recognised for his points defeat to Joe Calzaghe.

Howard Eastman: (41-4, 35KOs) In his last outing Eastman ended a three fight losing streak with a final round KO over Richard Williams for the British Middleweight title, and he had had the best of the fight, but was looking tired in the later rounds, showing his 36 years. Eastman's forays at world level have brought him the four defeats, each one against quality opposition in William Joppy, Edison Miranda, Arthur Abraham and Bernard Hopkins, and only the lead-fisted Miranda was able to get a stoppage from Eastman. His comments pre-fight have said that he is hoping to get another shot at a world title, but a shot at his former European title might be a more attainable ambition for Eastman, if his awkward style can get him past Evans Ashira.

Evans Ashira: (26-2, 13KOs) Since his challenge for Calzaghe's Super-Middleweight title, Ashira has returned to his natural Middleweight division, with two points victories, and at 37 years old is also looking at the final years of his career, as is Eastman. His other defeat came in a swift second round stoppage for the WBA middleweight title against Maselino Masoe, and like Eastman has stumbled when given opportunities at a world level. The journeyman Kenyan is fighting out of Aarhus in Denmark these days, and also has an awkward style, ducking very low, and should make for a reasonable opponent to Eastman, and might make Eastman try and come forwards for him.

The show begins at 10pm UK time, that's 5pm EST in the states, the rest of you will just have to do the maths from there.

CC#407 superheavy..... You the man.


Lets go EASTMAN!!! 8)

Oh! yeah!

I'M MAKING THIS MUTHA' A STICKY!! ;)

Cool Click

I'll meet you here at 5

Cool stuff, I almost made a thread last night on the solid boxing we have today and was banking on a RBR of this one. Thanks CC as always.

Ashira is a short stocky guy, probably best served at 154 lbs. If he had a higher workrate, he could be really good. But for whatever reason, he just doesn't fire off as much as he should.

Well done Superheavy, and good call Mick :highfive:

Between you and Wacko there arent many worthwhile fights that dont get the RBR treatment O0

:coolclick: Super for good work but i have feeling this will be snoozer.

CC mate 8)

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

:coolclick: Super for good work but i have feeling this will be snoozer.

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Eastman's style doesn't always make for an exciting fight, and Ashira's is also pretty awkward....so who knows, maybe two wrongs will make a right for this fight.

Thanks for the love folks....but we all know boxing is on a bit of a lull at the moment with everyone anticipating the Mayweather v De La Hoya fight, so things are just ticking over as we await that one. If you're in Wales and fancy joining me for a flat party...the beer is likely to start flowing at midnight or so UK time, and sleeping space will be at a premium... Anyhow, I'm sorta looking forward to this fight, even if it is in Dudley. For anyone that doesn't know, the Dudley accent is the most boring ever, so it isn't a fantastic omen for excitement, but let's hope its the best thing to come out of Dudley since Lenny Henry.

Well done superheavy

although this is gonna be boring as fuck

Plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod...Eastman UD.

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

:coolclick: Super for good work but i have feeling this will be snoozer.

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Eastman's style doesn't always make for an exciting fight, and Ashira's is also pretty awkward....so who knows, maybe two wrongs will make a right for this fight.

Thanks for the love folks....but we all know boxing is on a bit of a lull at the moment with everyone anticipating the Mayweather v De La Hoya fight, so things are just ticking over as we await that one. If you're in Wales and fancy joining me for a flat party...the beer is likely to start flowing at midnight or so UK time, and sleeping space will be at a premium...

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Agreed.

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Anyhow, I'm sorta looking forward to this fight, even if it is in Dudley. For anyone that doesn't know, the Dudley accent is the most boring ever, so it isn't a fantastic omen for excitement, but let's hope its the best thing to come out of Dudley since Lenny Henry.

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...... ??? ;D

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Originally Posted by amat

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Anyhow, I'm sorta looking forward to this fight, even if it is in Dudley. For anyone that doesn't know, the Dudley accent is the most boring ever, so it isn't a fantastic omen for excitement, but let's hope its the best thing to come out of Dudley since Lenny Henry.

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...... ??? ;D

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Entirely my fault and I apologise to all my non-british brothers tuning in. Dudley is a place near Birmingham, made famous by the stand-up routines of comedian Lenny Henry, and an accent which some people may refer to as 'montonous'. This is of course not my opinion, nor is it the opinion of www.saddoboxing.com. By reading this you are agreeing not to sue me for expressing someone else's opinion on the Dudley accent, which may well not be an opinion at all.

Please disregard that part of my previous comment, and this response to your response on that part of the comment.
Ah, blinkin heck, I'll stick to boxing.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Well done superheavy

although this is gonna be boring as fuck

Plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod...Eastman UD.

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I tell you though man, Ashira is gonna try and make it wild I reckon, and Eastman never backs down (he paid the price V Miranda) and thats why I smell an upset tonight, Ashira is under rated, Eastman might have too much Skill and smarts to get beat by Ashira but I smell an upset.

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

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Originally Posted by amat

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Anyhow, I'm sorta looking forward to this fight, even if it is in Dudley. For anyone that doesn't know, the Dudley accent is the most boring ever, so it isn't a fantastic omen for excitement, but let's hope its the best thing to come out of Dudley since Lenny Henry.

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...... ??? ;D

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Entirely my fault and I apologise to all my non-british brothers tuning in. Dudley is a place near Birmingham, made famous by the stand-up routines of comedian Lenny Henry, and an accent which some people may refer to as 'montonous'. This is of course not my opinion, nor is it the opinion of www.saddoboxing.com. By reading this you are agreeing not to sue me for expressing someone else's opinion on the Dudley accent, which may well not be an opinion at all.

Please disregard that part of my previous comment, and this response to your response on that part of the comment.
Ah, blinkin heck, I'll stick to boxing.

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:lolhaha: :lolhaha:

Top stuff have a CC in 24.

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Originally Posted by yoitsdan

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Well done superheavy

although this is gonna be boring as fuck

Plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod...Eastman UD.

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I tell you though man, Ashira is gonna try and make it wild I reckon, and Eastman never backs down (he paid the price V Miranda) and thats why I smell an upset tonight, Ashira is under rated, Eastman might have too much Skill and smarts to get beat by Ashira but I smell an upset.

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The upset wouldn't surprise me. Eastman is all but finished even though he seems his same old self.

But Ashira aint no young hungry fighter like Miranda. And even at this stage, Miranda is just about the only guy out there that could of done that to Eastman.

OK, game face on, beer next to keyboard and pringles in a nearby tube. Ashira looks pretty calm, having a little dance to his walk in music. This venue does seem to be a lot like your usual town concert hall...with some very impressive woodwork around the entrance hall. Ashira looks confident, but seeing Eastman he also looks pretty cool. Not sure if its the acoustics of the venue, but it seems a pretty subdued welcome for both fighters.

Eastman has a 3 inch height advantage and a 5 inch reach advantage.
Game on!

Round 1:

I think it's Eastman's hairstule that makes him look way beyond his years in age terms. He also seems to have a spot of yoghurt next to his mouth.
Eastman cautiously jabbing, staying on he outside. Ashira with that horrible low style again. More jabs and a straight from Eastman AShira with an overhand right that finds the gloves, but Eastman popping the jab, and in the clinch nearly loses Ashia through his legs. Hard left hook from Ashira out of the clinch. Eastman is wth the workrate. Swinging right misses Eastman by a distance. Eastman's jab do seem to paw a little, but he's throwing the most. Ashira looks to claim the centre and get his feet set.

Eastman 10-9.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by yoitsdan

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Well done superheavy

although this is gonna be boring as fuck

Plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod... plod, plod, plod...Eastman UD.

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I tell you though man, Ashira is gonna try and make it wild I reckon, and Eastman never backs down (he paid the price V Miranda) and thats why I smell an upset tonight, Ashira is under rated, Eastman might have too much Skill and smarts to get beat by Ashira but I smell an upset.

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The upset wouldn't surprise me. Eastman is all but finished even though he seems his same old self.

But Ashira aint no young hungry fighter like Miranda. And even at this stage, Miranda is just about the only guy out there that could of done that to Eastman.

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Judging by the first round I'm going with your assessment mate ;)

Round 2:

Eastman paws out the jab, then a right as Ashira lunges and misses. Ashira looks squat and strong, and throws a jab to the body. Eastman jabs again, but coming out of a clinch narrowly avoids a hard uppercut. Eastman warned for shoving Ashira, they go into another grapple. Good right from Eastman, and this time Ashira is pushed back by the punch. AShira comes forward, and pins Eastman in th corner for a second with a decent body shot. Lots of hugging so far, myabethe ref should split them earlier. Ashira doing a lot of swinging and missing so far.

Eastman 20-18

Round 3:

Two hooks from Eastman land as Ashira lunges. Two jabs from Eastman, but he takes a good hard left from Ashira. Uppercut from Eastman. Two body shots from AShira. Eastman shoves him back with a shoulder, then a jab. Eastman is pinned on the ropes, and Ashira pounds in two hard shots, and finds gloves with a hook upstairs. Ashira throwing some decent jabs. More clinching. Good sidestep from Eastman dodging a looping right from Ashira. Eastman throws some some nice short shots, and some straight shots before another clinch. Eastman jabs, but Ashira returns a jab as Eastman misses with a hook.

Ashira's round for me. 29-28 to Eastman

Round 3:

Ashira comes out strong, which a body shot and a hard left upstairs. More body shots coming out of a clinch from Ashira. Good right from Ashira, but Eastman wrestles him to the floor. More clinching. Good left from Eastman. Eastman jabs out of the clinch, e'll need to improve this to get a win. Ashira's ducking style means Eastman does seem to be leaning on him often. Eastman trhows some jabs and an uppercut, this time it seems AShira clinches. Hard left hook from Eastman gets through the gloves. Short hook from Eastman out of a clinch, then two jabs. Ashira lands a body shot on the bell.

A tied round saves me from splitting them on this one.
39-38 Eastman

Come on Eastman get me those prediction points. 8)

Round 5:

Just spotted that Lee Meager is in Eastman's corner...he's done a fair bit of corner work since his defeat. Jabs from Eastman, and Ashira misses with a swinging left. Eastman starting to find his rhythm, lunging an missing with a lead to the body. Eastman paws away with his punches. Decent left from Ashira. Eastman warned for a low blow as Ashira lunges in. Nice uppercut from Eastman. AShira jabs then hangs on again. Uppercut from Ashira but Eastman sends out a couple of his own. Eastman with the jabs, as Ashira ducks into another clinch.

Eastman gets the best of this one. 49-47

Round 6:

Cautious start, and Eastman is popping out those jabs with more authority. Eastman lands a lefthook, but Ashira lands his own body shot simultaneously. Ashira has taken the centre of the ring since the first bell, and Eastman is caught by a hard shot from Ashira, and paws at his forehead. Nice uppercut and left hook from Eastman, and then a straight right and a hook from Eastman as Ashira lunges, making his opponent looks silly. Two reasonable hooks land for ashira, and Eastman clinches this time, grabbing a moments rest. Good left hook from Eastman, and Ashira lands a body shot before the clinch. Short left by Eastman on the bell.

Eastman's round. 59-56

Round 7:

Eastman is always in the chair till the very lat minute. Eastman opens with a jab and a hook, ad Ashira wants a wrestle again. Ashira warned for not breaking. Ashira with a flurry of body shots, but is caught by a good hook from Eastman in there. Eastman throws a four-punch flurry of his own upstairs. Better round this. Ashira trying to drag Eastman in with flailing hard shots, and Eastman replies with soem good straight shots of his own. They exchange short uppercuts as they lean on each other. Early pace of the round has taken it out of both of them. Overhand right from Ashira. Ashira missing with the jabs, and Eastman lands a straight left and an uppercut. Ashira coming forward a lot here, but getting caught a lot too.

Tied round for me, as Ashira looking to gut this out till Eastman tires.
69-66

Round 8:

Ashira once again made to wait for Eastman to return to the ring. Hard left uppercut from AShira catches Eastman flush. Eastman swings wildly and misses there. Ashira with a jab, and Eastman comes forward with a jab and a straight right. Good left hook from Eastman, and AShira jabs with two shots to the body. Eastman's tape comes loose and gives him a break. Eastman caught by another big shot, before returning some hard shots of his own upstairs. Ashira lands the body shot. And again. Right from ashira, and Eastman clings on there. Ashira warned for leaing with the head. Two hooks from Eastman, and a jab/left hook. He's regained himself, and paws out two jabs, before an uppercut.

Ashira's round for me. 78-76 to Eastman.

Round 9:

Big right to open from Ashira, but a flurry of punches from Eastman negates that. Eastman popping out those punches without much power. AShira finds gloves with an overhand right, and a decent left from Ashira. Eastman jabs and hooks, and the sideways movement makes AShira look silly twice in succession. Eastman jabbing out and puts un a good pair of hooks to the body, though AShira is ducking low. Ashira looking to plough forward, but walks into a clinch without landing. Eastman's ring smarts making Ashira look pretty ordinary. Left hook by Eastman on the bell.

88-85 Eastman

Round 10:

Decent jabs land from Ashira, but three short shots from Eastman pierce the tight Ashira guard. Another flurry from Ashira, and Eastman is coming forward now, landing hard jabs and short hooks to the face of AShira. Both fighters get a talking to from the ref. Nice uppercut from Eastman, and more clinching. astman jabs, as Ashira lunges in, nmissing with a looping right which Eastman ducks with ease. ANother clinch. Jabs from Eastman, then an Ashira lunge sees Eastman grab the clinch. Eastman jabs and a left hook, and his tape on the gloves is loosening again. EAstman looks sharp out of the mini-break, with a jab, and AShira looses a body shot on the bell.

Eastman is doing well here, 98-94 now.

LET'S GO EASTMAN! LET'S GO!!!


8)

Round 11:

Uppercut and a hook from Eastman. AShira coming in wild with a hard right in the clinch. EAstman is warned for shenanigans in the clinch. Hard right from Ashira as Eastman looks to come forward. Ashira looking for the bing punch now. Ref is much louder with his "break" shouts. Antoher talking to for both fighters. No clean punches landed in a minute as they both wrestle for dominance. Flurry of quick shots from Eastman, but Ashira is landing more hard shots. Decent right from Ashira, and an uppercut in the clinch. Eastman missses with a jab and a hook. Ashira ploughing forward with hard body shots, and an uppercut in the clinch.

Ashira's round.

107-104

Alright, come on judges give this one to ole Howard 8)

I need 7 points.

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Originally Posted by amat

Alright, come on judges give this one to ole Howard 8)

I WE need 7 points.

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8)

Round 12:

Eastman looked really tired last round. Ashira with a hard right, and Eastman clinches and grabs Ashira's leg to try and tip him. Warned by the ref. Ashira with another hard shot upstairs. Eastman paws out that jab consistently. Good combo from Ashira with two good jabs and a hook leaving Ashira's guard looking like Swiss cheese. Ashira enraged comes forward with hard wild shots, but fails to get any really telling punches through. Ashira with a hook that lands, but Eastman is far more accurate. This has been a scrappy fight, and the tape on Eastman's glove is loose again. Huge riht from Ashira rocks Eastman, and Eastman clings onto Ashira for dear life. He's got nothing left, 20 seconds on the clock. Uppercut from AShira on the bell, but Eastman was very lucky to survive that round.

Ashira's finale gets him that one.

116-114 for Eastman on my card.

Wow, crazy ending from the sounds of it. Sounds better then expected. Thanks Rhun.

Jim Watt's card on Sky has it 117-112, but I reckon this one was much closer for me. It was a very scrappy fight, but pretty compelling in my view, not the snoozer predicted by ICE. Ashira raised his hands at the bell, and Eastman grabbed a bottle of water.

UD 116-113, 116-112, 116-113 EASTMAN!!!!

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!! 7 POINTS AHAHAHA

Always a joy if I get the Brit fight correct.

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Originally Posted by amat

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!! 7 POINTS AHAHAHA

Always a joy if I get the Brit fight correct.

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Can I get a wut! wut! ?

8)

This is the only fight I had trouble choosing from the rest I were a little more clear.

I had a fiver on Eastman by UD, do I'll win three quid off that one. I reckon Eastman just about deserved it, buyt Ashira was shaking his head thinking he was robbed, and if it was about force of punches landing, he'd have won at a canter.


Ok, y'all are gonna get yourself CC'd, but the question I would pose is that is Howard Eastman unlucky for being in one of the real quality divisions of boxing worldwide at the moment. He might have the fram to step up to SMW, but I really think that the power at the next step would be to much for his chin, even though it is very good.

Quotes from Eastman: "It was disappointing and we only had one week in London with a very hard opponent. My preparation in getting to London was difficult, and I made it messy for him because I didn't want him to fight his fight. I'm going to let my promoter Mr Hennessy and my trainer to make the decisions."

When asked whether he still had it to compete at world level, he grinned and said: "I think so".

The old boy's finished at world level

Better fight than i thought it would be though

His dreds coming loose then being drenched with water betwwen rounds was making some of Ashiras misses look good

Great work mate ;)