BoxRec

For my money this is a tougher task then Hatton has against Tsyzu Hopkins may be nearly 40 but he still is a fantastic fighting machine. Long night I fear for Howard. But again at least he is fighting the best, hope he gives the best effect he can.

I think Eastmas is more than capable. He proved against Joppy a couple of years ago that he does have what it takes to mix with the best at the level, even if he did finally lose it was a fight that Howard could have and probably won.

As for the Hopkins fight, well a bit harder that Joppy but not insurmountable. My main concern for Eastman is the amount of time he has spend out the ring sinve the Joppy fight and the standard of opposition he has faced whilst in it. Harldy the best preperation. But I really do hope Eastman wins this

Eastman has to start early and try and catch Hoplins cold...i fear that Howard will be dragged along at near walking pace by Hopkins, If it`s to go the distance...I hope Howard boxes on the backfoot at lets Hopkins come forward...One day Hopkins might try to go to the well and realise that he`s 40 and has nothing else to give...it will happen and hopefully Eastman will be there when it does.

Yeah sure Eastman has a chance, he is a good fighter, but he must force the pace and fight every minute of every round to stand a chance of winning I feel.

I favour Hopkins but this is a fight Eastman CAN win.

Sorry but no chance other than a win on cuts. Hopkins is leagues above him. The Joppy fight mentioned above just showed Eastmans shortcomings - one paced and predictable which he gets away with against the lesser fighters. Who exactly has he beaten who's world class? Soliman but that was years ago and McCracken who was on the way down but in all honesty never world class himself. Joppy was ripe for the taking when he fought him yet he still beat him but for the last round knockdown Joppy won with some to spare but he still won even with the knockdown.

Hopkins by late stoppage. The only chance Eastman has is seeing the bell at the end of the 12th round.

Unless Hopkins' ages over night I do not give Eastman a chance. People are saying "well, Eastman did okay vs Joppy proving he is world class". All very well, but look what Hopkins did to William. Joppy, may not have been quite the same fighter he was vs Eastman, but he was definately hungry to beat Hopkins.

While Eastman has been scoring TKO's over the formidable Dann's, Cherifi's and Beardsley's of this world Hopkins has had to settle for scoring TKO's over De La Hoya and Trinidad - 2 of the best fighters of the last 10 years P4P. This isnt going to be close.

While Eastman has been scoring TKO's over the formidable Dann's, Cherifi's and Beardsley's of this world Hopkins has had to settle for scoring TKO's over De La Hoya and Trinidad - 2 of the best fighters of the last 10 years P4P. This isnt going to be close.

Yup, I'm in agreement, Eastman really isn't that good. I didn't think he beat Joppy and look how Hopkins dominated Joppy.

I do fancy it to go the distance, mainly because it will be that type of fight rather than Eastman is actually that good. If Eastman did show a bit of devil and show something he never has before and force the issue Hopkins will stop him. Different classes.

007 wrote:While Eastman has been scoring TKO's over the formidable Dann's, Cherifi's and Beardsley's of this world Hopkins has had to settle for scoring TKO's over De La Hoya and Trinidad - 2 of the best fighters of the last 10 years P4P. This isnt going to be close.

Yeah...those welters huh!!!

My view of the Joppy fight after watching it live was that Eastman had thrown it away by being lazy. The clowning and posturing irritated me also and I remember shouting at the TV for him to buck the fornicate up, as I felt he was letting Joppy nick the rounds.

I watched the fight the other day hoping to see something in Eastman that might be beneficial against Hopkins, but was disappointed to see he was actually worse than I remembered. What I saw as laziness then, I now saw as confusion. Frankly, he looked a bit out of his depth at times: standing back and thinking too much while Joppy scored with shots.

To beat Hopkins he either needs to hope that Hop ages overnight, at which point Howard will be able to catch him cleanly and hopefully KO him; or else do what Roy Jones did - stick and move, in and out with two, three punches at a time. The difference between Jones and Eastman, though, is that Jones' sheer 'un-orthidoxness' helped him keep Hopkins off as much as his boxing. Eastman is more conventional and will present Hopkins nothing he hasn't seen before.

His saving grace could be how slippery he can be. But I think that only has the potential to win him two or three rounds. And, thinking back, that was also said to be Glengoffe Johnson's saving grace against Hopkins, but Hopkins got him in range in the first minute of the fight before administering one of the most sickening slayings I've ever seen. Hopefully Eastman - if he does lose - will not be punished to that extent.

Hopkins TKO 10 (could very well be standing stoppage or corner retirement). If not then points: 117-112

Since this fight was announced i just find myself thinking that an upset will happen (Eastman win) - realistically though i think thats my heart and not my head speaking

KOJOE90 wrote:Yeah sure Eastman has a chance, he is a good fighter, but he must force the pace and fight every minute of every round to stand a chance of winning I feel.

It's been tried before by Felix Trinidad. I'm afraid Hopkins just doesn't allow himself to get hit, and that's not going to suddenly change because it's our Howard in there.

Eastman realisticly has no chance. In every area that the Battersea Bomber excels - Hopkins tops it and by some distance.

bigynzing wrote:

007 wrote:While Eastman has been scoring TKO's over the formidable Dann's, Cherifi's and Beardsley's of this world Hopkins has had to settle for scoring TKO's over De La Hoya and Trinidad - 2 of the best fighters of the last 10 years P4P. This isnt going to be close.

Yeah...those welters huh!!!

They may have been smaller guys but some achievement none the less. Compared to Eastmans record in the last 5 years they're worlds apart.

It's been said, but it's something I agree with, Eastman's only chance is if Hopkins looks like an old man in there. Even that is a very slim chance, because let's face it; there have been no real signs of age catching up with him. He's just not the type of fighter that is massively affected by the aging process, not in the same way as men who rely on speed and reflexes, like Jones. He also hasn't had any real wars, or weight fluctuations, out of the ring problems (recently), or anything that might adversely affect him.

All in all, Eastman's in trouble. He is either too lazy, lacks the necessary concentration, or doesn't have the stamina, to fight at a decent pace for twelve rounds. If you can't outwork Hopkins, then you should just forget it, because he's just too good when he's allowed work at his own pace. When Eastman has his customary sleepy patch of the fight, he's going to find that you can't get away with it at this level. Hopkins for me, by late-ish stoppage.

Eastman has a slim chance. More chance than Hatton has against Tzsyu.

Hopkins just WAAAAY too good , Credit to Eastman for taking it at least he wants a crack at the champ

glittermonkey wrote:All in all, Eastman's in trouble. He is either too lazy, lacks the necessary concentration, or doesn't have the stamina, to fight at a decent pace for twelve rounds. If you can't outwork Hopkins, then you should just forget it, because he's just too good when he's allowed work at his own pace. When Eastman has his customary sleepy patch of the fight, he's going to find that you can't get away with it at this level. Hopkins for me, by late-ish stoppage.

Great post.

The only chance Howard has is if BH legs have gone and he has to go toe to toe.
Howard's physically strength and punching power are his only advantages.

But if Bernard moves like he has in every other fight i've seen of his HE won't get near him. He's no master of cuttting off the ring is he?
I can't see BH going for the stoppage. I think it will be a comprehensive beating, winning 10+ rounds. With Howard's head bobbing about from the crisp shots as he trudges around the ring in futile pursuit.
But i don't think he'll look hurt just discouraged by the late rounds.

BH will want to make it as easy as possible for himself and not look too good so that he doesn't discourage Tito/King.

Well this is a fight I've wanted to see for some time, and it finally sounds like it might be on - I was getting sick of watching Hop beat up Robert Allen.

Eastman is a world class middle, and while it's true he's been guilty of laziness in the past, it's not like an incurable fault, such as a glass jaw, for instance.

They need to get someone in Howard's corner who can light a rocket under his arse. Hopkins is a cautious fighter by nature, and will probably start very slow. Eastman need to capitalise on this and get in front early - his younger legs give him a great chance if he has his head on right.
It's not like he's facing a Hagler-like-monster in there.

Now the big question is......who's showing the bloody fight over here?!

knockout artist wrote:Eastman has a slim chance. More chance than Hatton has against Tzsyu.

I don't agree actually, if you gave me £100 to stick on either I would put it on Hatton.

MightyWarrior wrote: Eastman is a world class middle, and while it's true he's been guilty of laziness in the past, it's not like an incurable fault, such as a glass jaw, for instance.

What makes Eastman world class? He hasnt earned his #1 ranking, he got a high WBC ranking by beating McCracken who in all honesty wasnt world class himself. Then got beaten by Joppy then who has he beaten thats world rated since??

Goz wrote:

knockout artist wrote:Eastman has a slim chance. More chance than Hatton has against Tzsyu.

I don't agree actually, if you gave me £100 to stick on either I would put it on Hatton.

Of course you would, it wouldnt be your money that you were putting down

007 wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote: Eastman is a world class middle, and while it's true he's been guilty of laziness in the past, it's not like an incurable fault, such as a glass jaw, for instance.

What makes Eastman world class? He hasnt earned his #1 ranking, he got a high WBC ranking by beating McCracken who in all honesty wasnt world class himself. Then got beaten by Joppy then who has he beaten thats world rated since??

Well, I'm guessing you'd struggle to come up with a list of 10 world class middles who've proved themselves better than Eastman wouldn't you?

Joppy was world class at the time, and Howard took him very close. Yes, he's protected his ranking since, but he's hardly the first boxer in history to do that is he?

Joppy has just been battered from pillar to post by Trinidad and was ripe for the taking yet he couldnt beat him!