Eastman returns in final eliminator

Wellington · Post by **Wellington** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:14

Eastman returns in final eliminator

http://www.hennessysports.com/upload/30104_eastman.JPG

Former undefeated British, Commonwealth and European champion and undisputed world title challenger Howard Eastman will face Miami based Colombian Edison Miranda in a final eliminator this spring for the right to challenge IBF champion Arthur Abraham.

“I got goose bumps when my promoter Mick Hennessy gave me this news,” said Eastman, from Battersea, yesterday. “I have not felt like this for a long time. He has given me the opportunity to spring myself back into contention.

“Because of what’s happened recently I need to prove to people that I can go in there and take these guys out properly. There can be no room for doubt; you must make sure that the result comes your way. I have only failed to do that on three occasions in my whole professional career.

“But I know from now on that as long as I am true to myself and to my promoter, that there will be no more room for doubt. Results will be a foregone conclusion.”

The Battersea Bomber’s three defeats in a Championship littered career have all come at the highest level. In 2001 he suffered a highly contentious decision against William Joppy for the WBA title in Las Vegas.

He rebuilt from that setback in spectacular style to earn a shot in Los Angeles last February against then undisputed and pound for pound king Bernard Hopkins. Despite fighting the wrong sort of the fight Eastman became the first to really push the champion, (who has since praised him highly), for several years, forcing him to adopt negative tactics.

The other reverse came against German based Arthur Abraham last July in Nuremberg. Despite only being at about 70% and having to deal with a hostile crowd, he appeared to have done enough over the 12 rounds, only for the judges to rule in favour of the home fighter.

Abraham went on to lift the IBF title, (that Eastman will now contest a final eliminator for), in spectacular style by knocking out the highly touted Kingsley Ikeke.

As such, victory over Miranda will provide Eastman with the opportunity not only to lift the genuine world title he clearly has the talent to win, but also to set the record straight.

“The fight with Abraham is a fight that was destined to have a rematch,” Eastman added. “I am looking forward to fighting him again. I still want rematches against Joppy and Hopkins but we are doing things backwards. I am fighting the third guy I lost to, first. Hopefully we can get to the others afterwards.

“To be seen as a true champion, Abraham needs an authentic fight. Particularly as his win over me wasn’t satisfactory, even though he got out of the ring with the result.

“I think I won that fight and so did a lot of other people, even though everything was in his favour. It was in his backyard and because of various things going on I didn’t have much time to train.

“My preparation for that fight was poor, I got no sparring and if I’m being honest I didn’t eat properly.

“When you fight the way I do you need a lot of energy, but when I pushed on the gas against Abraham there was nothing there. There were times when all I would have had to do to knock him over was push him, but I was empty. He still didn’t come close to knocking me over.

“It was an interesting fight and I am sure we both learned from it, but when we fight again I think I will stop him in eight rounds. Abraham likes to fight; he doesn’t know the ring like Hopkins and Joppy, so it will be easy for me to get to him. He plods and throws a lot of hooks. He actually fights a bit like Scott Dann.

“The rematch will be good, its going to be one for the boxing fans who will know what I am really all about. This fight will see the real me.

“I am going to go and train in America. I am going to be fully focussed; there will be no more distractions. There will be no people saying things into my ear from now on, trying to put thoughts in my head about certain things.

“I appreciate that I am being looked after. Practically every fight Mick Hennessy has got me has been for a title and he got me the opportunities against Hopkins and then Abraham. I know he has always had my best interests at heart and I am going to repay the faith he has put in me. I may be 35-years old, but I’m not the average 35-year-old. Don’t be getting any ideas about that. There is a long way to go yet.”

The first obstacle in Eastman’s path is a stiff punching 25-year-old Colombian from the same promotional stable as undisputed cruiserweight king O’Neill Bell. Miranda, who won his first 21 fights all inside the distance, earned the opportunity after stringing together a series of impressive wins in America.

“I don’t know a great deal about Miranda, but judging by his record he looks like a fighter who is on a mission,” Eastman appraised. “He showed he meant business by relocating to the States recently. It’s a tough fight, but this is my chance to prove that I am still one of the world’s best.”

states · Post by **states** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:18

Blimey, this surprises me a bit. Howard has caught a bit of a break here.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:29

Too right there states. I though Eastman was going to quietly slide off the boxing scene, but certianly he'll take this.

His opponent's record looks very padded, although some of that could be unknown records (in part) when he has stepped up a gear, he's appeared capable enough to win comfortably. I'm sure Eastman will last the 12 rounds. Lets hope he does more than turn up though.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=037138

BubiScholz · Post by **BubiScholz** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:40

I can´t believe this shit. This opponent is a joke for an eliminator. Anyway the fight vs Arthur will be the end of Eastmans career. Only his chin can secure him 12 rounds but he will lose in the same style than last time or worse.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:43

I think Eastmans opponent must have also caught a break, to say his record looks padded is an understatement - in his 20th fight he fought a guy making only his second appearance in the ring, look at his 17th fight he fought someone making his debut!

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:52

what a fornicating joke. Eastman didn't look like he'd done enough. i hate that we wuz robbed excuse. he's going to get hammered this time if he still has that lethargic attitude and given what appears to be Abraham's improvement.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:54

dopey wrote:I think Eastmans opponent must have also caught a break, to say his record looks padded is an understatement - in his 20th fight he fought a guy making only his second appearance in the ring, look at his 17th fight he fought someone making his debut!

Those opponent's records could be incomplete? If not then he realy has been wrapped in cotton wool.

Eastman will have to impress here with a good, exciting showing.

Lets hope he can pull it off!

states · Post by **states** » 12 Jan 2006, 12:55

TerribleTerry wrote:
Eastman will have to impress here with a good, exciting showing.

Lets hope he can pull it off!

I wouldn't hold your breath.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 12 Jan 2006, 13:12

viciousmaussa wrote:what a fornicating joke. Eastman didn't look like he'd done enough. i hate that we wuz robbed excuse. he's going to get hammered this time if he still has that lethargic attitude and given what appears to be Abraham's improvement.

Well, I saw a hard-to score grudge match with few clear actions and two very exhausted fighters in the later rounds. In the UK the fight would have gone to Eastman, in Germany it went to Abraham.

P

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Jan 2006, 14:01

This Miranda's guy's last fight was shown on Eurosport the other week - on the McCline vs Lawrence bill.

I think he beats Eastman.

s9s · Post by **s9s** » 12 Jan 2006, 14:40

Don't underestimate these columbians, they seem to produce hard hitters, look what happend to Vivian Harris, and Cotto nearly got done in recently by another hard hitting columbian recently.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 12 Jan 2006, 14:42

Eastman plodding his way to a points defeat has to be a great bet.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 12 Jan 2006, 14:50

Goz wrote:Eastman plodding his way to a points defeat has to be a great bet.

Whatever gives you that idea Goz

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 12 Jan 2006, 15:12

Wellington wrote: “When you fight the way I do you need a lot of energy..." ”

True. I normally have a couple of red bulls to stay awake.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 12 Jan 2006, 15:19

Matchfixer wrote:
Wellington wrote: “When you fight the way I do you need a lot of energy..." ”
True. I normally have a couple of red bulls to stay awake.

Flip me that made me laugh out loud

glahn · Post by **glahn** » 12 Jan 2006, 16:06

I've lost all faith in Howard. He is a tough, talented fighter, but he is just too lazy, and he always will be. Why expect anything different from him this time? The Abraham fight was supposed to be his last chance anyway, and he still couldn't put the extra bit of effort required in. To be honest, part of me is hoping that Miranda beats him.

Hellephant · Post by **Hellephant** » 12 Jan 2006, 20:32

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 12 Jan 2006, 21:46

Miranda is better than some of you think, regardless of his opposition.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 13 Jan 2006, 04:24

s9s wrote:Don't underestimate these columbians, they seem to produce hard hitters, look what happend to Vivian Harris, and Cotto nearly got done in recently by another hard hitting columbian recently.

Yeah then Hatton beat Maussa's arse which Vivian couldn't do and Cotto's drained.

shot · Post by **shot** » 13 Jan 2006, 06:59

Does someone know anything about this Miranda guy. I've never seen him. So I was just curious to see if there is a chance of a repeat between Abraham and Eastman.

And who wrote the article? I think everybody but this author saw Abraham winning that fight.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 13 Jan 2006, 07:02

My eye lids are getting heavy at the thought of watching Howard again...you are feeling sleepy.....sleeeeepy......zzzzzzzzzzz

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Jan 2006, 08:29

shot wrote:Does someone know anything about this Miranda guy. I've never seen him. So I was just curious to see if there is a chance of a repeat between Abraham and Eastman.

And who wrote the article? I think everybody but this author saw Abraham winning that fight.

Seen his last fight, look very decent - far and away the best performer on the bill - but then the bill did consist of McCline and Mitchelin Man.

I was impressed.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 13 Jan 2006, 08:51

The article is writen by Hennesey's (Eastman's promoter) PR team

have not heard anyone else say Howard was robbed

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Jan 2006, 09:02

Hellephant wrote:
Wellington wrote:“My preparation for that fight was poor, I got no sparring and if I’m being honest I didn’t eat properly.
I can actually confirm that. I met Eastman in Nürnberg, the day of the fight with Abraham, and Eastman was rubbing his tummy and asking for food. "I need to eat" Eastman said, and begged for a specific plays, I understood it to be a chicken plays that exist all around the world. I had just arrived by train from Sweden and knew nothing about a Chicken king, or a Chicken heaven, so I said: "Howard Eastman you are the greatest fighter in the history of boxing, and I'm your biggest fan". Eastman looked at his trainer Cofi like "what the hell is this?". Cofi was also worried, almost scared. Sometimes I wonder if it was me that ruined it for them there, in Nürnberg. I got a picture, but Eastman never got his food.

http://www.worldboxingvideoarchive.com/ ... bla345.jpg

picture taken by Cofi

I'm worried about your mental well being.

Lots of fighters are starving in the run in to the fight, I don't know how tight howard is at the weight, but he's turned in listless performances even in winning efforts for as long as I can remember.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 13 Jan 2006, 09:12

Confused? You should be.

Eastman returns in final eliminator

Eastman returns in final eliminator

Re: Eastman returns in final eliminator

Re: Eastman returns in final eliminator

Re: Eastman returns in final eliminator

Re: Eastman returns in final eliminator