Howard Eastman defeats Russian to retain title
Stabroek News
February 1, 2004
(BBC)Howard Eastman outpointed Russia's Sergey Tatevosyan at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre on Friday to retain his European middleweight title.
Eastman improved his record to 39 wins and one loss but was far from convincing in front of a subdued Dagenham crowd. However, the 'Battersea Bomber' remains on course for a WBC title eliminator against Italian fighter Cristian Sanavia in April. It was clear from the opening bell that Tatevosyan had come to fight and he responded to the Eastman jab with some useful flurries of his own in the early rounds. Relying on sharp head movement and quick feet to escape Eastman's clutches, the slippery Russian frustrated the champion throughout and it was only midway through the contest that the champion began to assert his authority. Landing consistently with his left hook, Eastman drew Tatevosyan's sting down the home straight but never looked like stopping the challenger. The judges scored the fight 117-112, 120-109, 116-113 but the margin of victory flattered a lacklustre Eastman.
"He was very slippery - in fact his name ought to be the 'Vaseline Kid'," said Eastman afterwards. I was happy with my performance tonight but I will be better next time. "He did very well and obviously came to survive. I have only had three weeks preparation for this fight after the birth of my baby girl. "But there are no excuses. Overall I was happy with my performance tonight but I will be better next time." Despite Eastman's assurances, America's WBC champion Bernard Hopkins would have seen little to worry him ahead of their proposed autumn encounter.