BoxRec

This is just breaking on the current scene, and the fight is also on the fighter's records (for 17th July)

I like what this is saying about Eastman's attitude post-Hopkins. I suspected he would disappear off the face of the earth for at least 12 months, but he going to Germany to fight an unbeaten, credible guy for another title crack. Of course there could be another reason, there are probably rather a lot of deutchemarks involved of course........there seems to be plenty of cash on the table in Germany these days.

Shit, I've just noticed REAL_DEAL beat me to the 'breaking news' by about 7 hours. Well sonny Jim, I'll soon catch up the number of replies with my secret weapon - an informative thread title. HA!

Fairly nice move for Eastman. I wouldnt think it was a backward step as such. I mean, he wont get to fight Hop, Taylor and the top-5s at the moment.

As crude as it sounds, he's liely to rack up a few bob going to Germany rather than in Blighty.

I think Eastman will be too seasoned for this other guy but I admit I havent seen him in action.

Anyone seen Abraham in action?

Yes I've seen hima few times, and Arthur might be favorite here, with the home advantage.
A rough tough customer, he reminds me a bit of Juan Roldan, the heavy handed middleweight of the 80's who gave Hagler a tough time.

Strange fight for Eastman to take on the comeback trail - the money must be good though.

Good fight this one.

This is exactly what Eastman needs to do, I was skeptical he would, but he needs to get in with young hungry figthers, keep himself fresh and on point if he's going to get another shot in the post-hopkins era, which is drawing very near now.

Based on his performance against Hopkins, right now I make Taylor favourite against the Howard, but lets see how he does against the old man. I can see Taylor doing a Hatton, but he doesn't have the level of experience of Hatton, nor hometown advantage.

Plus Taylor doesn't work as hard as Hatton, and Hopkins has always been very difficult to catch with a clean hard shot.

Plus, Taylor is not fighting an opponent with who has fought only 3 rounds in close to 3 years (and that was against a weight drained Mitchell - who looked more impressive vs Smith than he did against N'dou and Stewart).

I have yet to watch Abraham fight. What kind of fighter is he? I've read some of his interviews and from his talk I take it that he is a seek & destroy type of fighter with a very good punch. Does he stand a chance to be one of the top guys in a year, or two?

He needs to work on his defense before he can mix it with the top boys

I´ve seen Abraham a couple of times on German TV. He´s heavy handed with good stamina. There was talk of matchin him with Felix Sturm, but I can´t see that happenin.

I think its a brave move from his team to put him in with Eastman. The experience definetely lies with Eastman here and he´d be the favourite in my book, but in Germany who knows. If Howard has the same kind of fight as he had ahainst Hopkins and Tatevosyan, then in Germany the decision won´t go his way.

Should be an interesting fight. It would be nice to see Felix Sturm take a bigger risk soon. Its nearly a year since he beat De La Hoya and he doesn´t seem too much closer to getting a big name. For me, Sturm against Abrahams would be a more intriguing fight as both are at similar stages of their careers, but thats just my opinion, and I look forward to seeing the Eastman/Abraham fight.

Another thing. Abraham and his team come to the ring with these daft hats on with this funny music in the background. Its a hoot to watch.

Its a very tough fight for Eastman, but Eastmans chin and defence are pretty solid and they'll need to be. Has Abraham had his chin tested yet?

slightly off topic, but http://www.boxen.com has got highlights of the Valuev Ettienne fight and Urkals welterweight victory up.

Good quality to. Come on frank sort the vids on your site out!

jamesmcdonnell wrote: Based on his performance against Hopkins, right now I make Taylor favourite against the Howard,

Howard 'THE HOWARD' Eastman I pick to beat Abraham. Watch for the puncher to run out of ideas against the lumbering, unstoppable force that is the howard.