BoxRec

Just reading on current scene...everyone moving on to Hopkins-Taylor and stuff

Closer to home though, what's next/left for Eastman? Is he just going to have to go back to the domestic level/EBU, keep plugging away and hope for another #1 contender slot for a third time lucky shot at a world title?

Does he have the time for it? Ok, he's 34? does he have time/credibility on world scene/patience/anything left in the tank?

Maybe he can grab a belt when Hopkins retires, unless Hopkins loses to Taylor (not sure if that fights happening)

I think your first paragraph summed it up pretty well. Cannot see him doing much other than waiting for another title shot. Look at who he faced between Joppy and Hopkins.....

He may yet get another shot though. There isn't a lot of credible competition available in the division right now, and if he hangs around he could well get another shot.

If Eastman gets a third shot lets hope he leaves it all in the ring this time. I doubt he will though.

What about moving up to supermiddle, surely he has more options there, he could face Magee, Reid, Calzaghe domestically, none of the belts are unified, seems a better option than stopping at middle.

He doesn't have the punchpower for SM, he isn't a massive puncher at middleweight, and he's not a naturally huge guy. I shouldn't think he weighs much over 160 come fightnight.

he should of gone on the contender

I dont think people would take to his weirdness.

What next for Eastman?

I reckon 14 months of inactivity followed by a defence of one of the titles he hasn't been stripped of against a 15-4 Ukranian. Then another 10 months off before a shot at one of fractured 'world' titles vacated by Hopkins.

Goz wrote:What next for Eastman?

I reckon 14 months of inactivity followed by a defence of one of the titles he hasn't been stripped of against a 15-4 Ukranian. Then another 10 months off before a shot at one of fractured 'world' titles vacated by Hopkins.

At least he'll keep busy with media work during that time.

...

He's not good enough I'm afraid and I think he should retire gracefully.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Maybe he can grab a belt when Hopkins retires, unless Hopkins loses to Taylor (not sure if that fights happening)

They are talking about Hopkins vs Taylor on July 16th.

he should just defend his euro title abroad, earn some money. he ain't gettin a title shot again, I'm sure of that.

The sad thing is the best way that Eastman could maximise the earning potential for the rest of his career would be to sign with Allegdly and win and make some defences of a WBO/U/C/U/N/T/ title against moderate domestic oppositon (Elcock, Lockett etc).

Goz wrote:The sad thing is the best way that Eastman could maximise the earning potential for the rest of his career would be to sign with Allegdly and win and make some defences of a WBO/U/C/U/N/T/ title against moderate domestic oppositon (Elcock, Lockett etc).

Yeah, maybe he should just slip away gracefully, try to earn a few more bucks. But he is a typical boxer, talks loads bout becoming a champion - I don't think he will want to give up so easy.

The obvious option for Eastman is to target IBF's number one, Sam Soliman. Soliman has asked for a rematch before, and if he still desires that, Eastman should not hesitate. Eastman should make a real push and clearly declare: "Soliman, anytime, anywhere"....it's that simple.

Hellephant wrote:The obvious option for Eastman is to target IBF's number one, Sam Soliman. Soliman has asked for a rematch before, and if he still desires that, Eastman should not hesitate. Eastman should make a real push and clearly declare: "Soliman, anytime, anywhere"....it's that simple.

Need to find Eastman first.

Manos de Oro wrote:Need to find Eastman first.

He's never far away...

I still think Eastman has the talent to win a world title, especially if he can produce a more aggressive attitude. Its ironic that with all the mediocre so called 'world champions' we have nowadays one of our best and truely world class fighters hasn't got a world title.

Eastman is just below world class. He's had two chances to produce a 'more aggressive attitude' the fact that he hasn't in two world title shots says it all.

He's a very good fighter, too good for most, but at world level, he doesn't quite cut it as he simply never leaves it all in the ring. That's just his nature.

He has world class talent but not the right mentality.... but things still might 'click' for him.
If Hopkins vacates I could see Howard picking up a title... theres not much else at Middleweight... whether he gets another shot is a different thing altogether!.

silkov wrote:He has world class talent but not the right mentality.... but things still might 'click' for him.
If Hopkins vacates I could see Howard picking up a title... theres not much else at Middleweight... whether he gets another shot is a different thing altogether!.

Middleweight is going to get busy, apparently Winky might stick at middle win lose or draw vs Trinidad, you also have Vargas now at Middle. Thats two big editions.

At these too the likes of Sturm, Trinidad, Taylor, Joppy, Sam Soliman (much improved from his first bout with HE), we have Ikeke and Abraham coming through aswell and I'm not convinced DLH will move back down (judging by his appearances).

Middleweight could become what the Light Middleweight is currently.

I think Ikeke would give Eastman big problems personally. I think Taylor beats him, sturm would give him a very hard night with his workrate, Winky would probably run rings around him.

I think Eastman's time has come and gone, he may pick up a belt when Hopkins retires, but he'll never be the main main in the division.

Eastman is undoubtedly world class although he is lacking wins over top quality opposition. But in terms of his ability he hasn't disgraced himself against Joppy who was decent and Hopkins who is very, very good.

What next?

Ideally, get his EBU title back and start racking up more wins to keep him high in the Alphabet rankings and hope he can get a shot at one of the titles IF Hopkins vacates at some point.

I don't like this talk of Howard retiring. Just because he may not be quite good enough to capture a real world title doesn't mean he can't still earn decent money, figure in good fights or still play a part in the world scene. Much stranger things have happened.

Really if I was Eastman or managing him (some hope!) I would get him to base himself in America, have all that sparring that is much harder and better and get him matches against top ten opposition... in other words go for broke... I think he's just on a hiding to nothing if he goes back to the Europeon title.