John Duddy to face former World title challenger Howard Eastman

[Kev]

This is a hell of a good test for Duddy right now IMO. Will really bring to light where Duddy is heading in his career, even though Eastman is a little long in the tooth.

Agreed, Eastman is a good step up, and in my opinion a much better choice than diving headfirst into a title fight with Pavlik.
This not only will be a good indicator of how good John really is, but also a good learning fight which will educate him for future opponents.

I disagree this is a horrible style matchup for Duddy. Duddy has proved in recent outings that he's only a slight step up from his opponents an ageing Yory Boy Campas and the world's greatest dad Anthony Bonsante.

He's not a world class boxer and although Eastman is faded he has fought at the very highest level.

I think Duddy is going get upset here. He doesn't have the greatest boxing skills and will almost certainly be outboxed and he doesn't have the power to hurt Eastman either.

Eastman wide UD.

Although it is the kind of match-up that will challenge Duddy stylistically, I think that it will be a good test for him, though I doubt it will be a great viewing spectacle. If Duddy comes through he's proved a point by beating a very good boxer, and if he loses then he's been found out and Eastman gets himself another comeback until he's beat again.

That's part of my point. Eastman can only really make Duddy look bad imo win or lose. He's a frustrating fighter to face.

I agree with the majority that Eastman's better days are past him but in his prime he would have taken Duddy to school.

As he's never been in any wars I always feel that Eastman has one great performance left in him and that he can box his way to a win over Duddy.

I'm torn as to who I want to win. Duddy's a likeable but limited fighter on the way up and Eastman is an old fighter who really should have won a world title. I'd like to see him have one last chance but to be honest Eastman has had more last chances than Mike Tyson