Eastman anxious for second world title shot
Guyana Chronicle
January 27, 2004
LONDON, England (CMC) - Guyana’s world-rated middleweight boxer Howard Eastman, a few days before defending his European title, says he is anxious to get his second opportunity at a world title.
Eastman is the number one contender in the World Boxing Council (WBC) ratings and is perfectly placed for a shot at current undisputed world champion Bernard Hopkins, of the United States.
“I believe I'm getting closer," he said.
Insiders think as the American's mandatory WBC challenger, the 33-year-old Caribbean fighter can expect their showdown to take place in September.
In Eastman’s first chance at a world title, November 2001, he suffered a disputed majority decision loss to William Joppy after flooring the American in the last round.
One judge scored the bout even at 113-113, and Joppy clinched the points win with 115-112 and 114-112 verdicts on the other judges’ cards.
It remains the sole blemish in Eastman’s 39-fight career.
"I think about that fight every day of my life," confessed Eastman,
“But I don't consider that Joppy fight a defeat; it was a robbery,” he said.
On Friday Eastman, with an impressive record of 38 wins (33 knockouts) against one defeat, defends his European crown against Russia's Sergey Tatevosyan at Dagenham's Gorebrook Leisure Centre.
Tatevosyan is a tough competitor with 13 knockout wins in his 20 wins, against three losses.