LONDON - One of Guyana’s sporting heroes is to return home for Christmas for the first time in many years.

Howard Eastman, narrowly defeated for the World Middleweight boxing crown on November 17, told the Chronicle in an exclusive interview that he is planning a Yule in Berbice with his sister and the rest of his family. He is originally from New Amsterdam.

Until two Saturdays ago, his fight record had been unblemished - 32 fights, 32 wins - British, Commonwealth and European Champion at his weight.

Then along came American William Joppy, who despite being knocked down by Eastman in the closing seconds of the bout won a majority points decision from the judges. Some ringside observers in Las Vegas said that Eastman had perhaps not done enough in the early stages of the fight to build the points victory.

Howard, the ‘Battersea Bomber’, now back in South London, says he was “cheated” and “definitely robbed”.

“Everybody who saw the fight says I won. I don’t know why they gave the fight to Joppy”

But, like Lennox Lewis on the same Vegas card, he is planning revenge and with his promoter the legendary Don King, he’s trying to arrange a rematch early in the New Year.

He then intends to resume his winning streak with a vengeance and claim the world belt that was so tantalisingly close to being his.

If the Joppy rematch does not come off, he will defend one of his three other belts. But, any talk of retirement was firmly not on the Eastman agenda.

He told the Chronicle that he was very grateful for the Guyanese support he received ringside but had been disappointed he had not, so far, got any offers of financial help from sponsors in Guyana nor any wishes for success from the Government or Head of State.

He compared this with the treatment of Guyana’s current world boxing champion Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis.

On the other hand, Howard said he was “very honoured and very flattered” to have picked up a Guyana High Commission UK award in London last month and thanked the organisers for recognising his achievement.

Meanwhile, there’s the small matter of organising the return home for the Battersea nee Berbice Bomber. He’s hoping for one big party to welcome him back.

Over to the Guyanese fight fans!