BoxRec

Not wining that world title?

He got the shot and spunked it. Did absolutely nothing against hopkins. Should go down as one of worst efforts from british fighter.

He didn't under-achieve because what he achieved was an accurate reflection of him as a fighter - talented, but lacking the will/mentality to go the proverbial extra mile when it was required.

I'd agree, he achieved what he deserved.

mickey1975 wrote:I'd agree, he achieved what he deserved.

this

Wales wrote:He got the shot and spunked it. Did absolutely nothing against hopkins. Should go down as one of worst efforts from british fighter.

x2

He fought arguabley the weakest middleweight champ at the time (Joppy) and spent the majority of the bout posturing and posing. It was only in the 12th round he bothered to do anything and then he knocked Joppy down. Shoulda Woulda coulda.....

Agree with the other posts, definitely a question of mentality. He got what his all-round attributes deserved, there was no particular hard luck story here for me.

another very frustrating fighter to watch - agree with the above

He should have beat Joppy but didnt seem to go for it enough in the later rounds. Howard put in a creditable effort against Hopkins, better than most of his challengers

[quote="dr_devious"]He should have beat Joppy but didnt seem to go for it enough in the later rounds. Howard put in a creditable effort against Hopkins, better than most of his challengers[/]

My lasting memory of the fight was shouting at the telly "come on Howard, put him under pressure" ... Perhaps im being nostalgic, i remember uk fight fans clamouring for the fight, believing Howard could topple Bernard, sitting through witter n'dou (awfully disappointing fight after early promise) then Eastman not doing enough to win rounds.

I guess its easy when youre sat at home. Bit harder to execute in the ring!

Last time I watch him was againg John Duddy. It was on BBC Ireland, the same night that Ricky Hatton fought Floyd. (Which showed in the middle of the night over here.)

I watched Howard Eastman to get in the mood. It was on about channel 900-odd on Sky. I vaguely remember it all being very Irish. After the fight it was; "Top of the morning to ya, Howard?"

Okay, I may have made that last bit up.

Michael bennt wrote:Not wining that world title?

Worse fighters won world titles but no

As talented as he was he didn't have that extra gear that would have propelled him to a title. That little bit 'extra' when he really needed it.

He had absolutely no urgency.

I agree with many on this thread that he was frustrating to watch.

Definitely didn't underachieve. He had some talent, was tough, could put shots together when he wanted to and had some dig but rather slow and lacking in fire. Nothing more to say really.

He had a decent beard though.

The Joppy fight showed Eastman's true level - earlier in the fight, whenever Eastman tried to pressure Joppy, he got countered hard by the faster and slicker man, I remember Joppy landing the uppercut at will.

Part of the reason for Eastman's languid style and lack out punch output, was that he was very slow - he couldn't let his hands go as he would get hit in return.

Against the lesser lights of the division, his toughness and punchpower, meant he could batter his opponent's over the longer haul, taking some to land some - but at the higher level, he missed more, and was hit more, which meant he just couldn't prevail.

He was frustrating to watch, but his style was far more to do with his limitations rather than an inherent lack of desire.

His achievements speak for themselves. He was one of the best middleweights in Europe around his time but there were better world champions who could keep their noses in front of him on the scorecards.

He definitely didn't under achieve IMO.

Excellente analysis james

I thought he'd had a very good career; he was homeless and running wild for some time; he applied himself and became an excellent amateur and went through the domestic rankings in a pretty destructive manner. He was his own man and liked to do things his own way; he was very good European class and had stopping power with either hand, Joppy was a decent world champion and it's no disgrace losing to him or Hopkins (who is a great boxfighter). I imagine he's happy with his career and very successful compared to his old friends.

mugabi wrote:Excellente analysis james

Are the fererro roches excellente as well mugabi?

Very good fighter & he was respected by the top middles as he'd bashed plenty up sparring stateside. He was badly robbed v Abraham which was in his twilight but simply tensed up against the best! Joppy he let that fight slip away basically threw it away & Hopkins handled him with care & caution & Howard was happy to stay on the leash so to speak.
Under achiever no.

hurlock wrote:Very good fighter & he was respected by the top middles as he'd bashed plenty up sparring stateside. He was badly robbed v Abraham which was in his twilight but simply tensed up against the best! Joppy he let that fight slip away basically threw it away & Hopkins handled him with care & caution & Howard was happy to stay on the leash so to speak.
Under achiever no.

Why was he robbed against Abraham?

Sorry, thinking of Miranda. Don't think Abraham was a robbery from memory, though.

ILikeBeer wrote:Last time I watch him was againg John Duddy. It was on BBC Ireland, the same night that Ricky Hatton fought Floyd. (Which showed in the middle of the night over here.)

I watched Howard Eastman to get in the mood. It was on about channel 900-odd on Sky. I vaguely remember it all being very Irish. After the fight it was; "Top of the morning to ya, Howard?"

Okay, I may have made that last bit up.

Classic keep them jokes coming