By Rick Reeno

Either Bernard Hopkins makes middleweight history or Howard Eastman achieves his dream of becoming the undisputed middleweight champion, only one of these men will accomplish their goal. In the main event, Bernard Hopkins (44-2-1, 31 KO's) puts his unified middleweight crown on the line against the mandatory challenger from England, Howard Eastman (40-1, 35 KO's).

Eastman and Hopkins have both predicted knock out victories. Eastman has said that he will stop Hopkins within 5, Hopkins said that he will beat Eastman down until the fight is stopped. Both fighters made the contracted weight, Hopkins and Eastman both weighed 159.5 pounds on the scales.

Eastman will have an entire country behind him as many English fans have traveled across the ocean to cheer on Eastman in his quest to become the undisputed middleweight champion. There has been a lot of hype over the "power" advantage of Eastman in this fight. Whether or not the power of Eastman is a "legit" factor remains to be seen. While the opposition of Eastman has been mediocre at best, some experts have actually said that this may be the fight where Bernard gets old.

While some factors are questionable, there are several legit factors in the fight which may benefit Eastman. Bernard has not fought a big middleweight like Eastman in many years. Bernard has been more of a boxer then a stalker in his last few fights, something that can be of great advantage to Eastman in setting his own pace. Bernard has been starting slower then usual in his last few fights, another edge for Eastman if he jumps on Hopkins early.

While Eastman has a few advantages, there are many more in favor of Hopkins. Eastman has never fought A level opposition. The one time Eastman stepped up in class against William Joppy several years ago, he lost by unanimous decision. Eastman has stated on the record that behind the scenes problems caused that loss and not William Joppy. Eastman has never faced anyone even near the level of a Bernard Hopkins, while Hopkins has been undefeated since 1993 and ruled the middleweight division for over ten years by taking on many top level contenders. Eastman is not a very active fighter, he does not stay very busy in his fights which may hurt him on the scorecards.

On the undercard, we will see the man who most experts pick to one day replace Hopkins as the king of the middleweight division. 2000 Olympic bronze medallist Jermain Taylor (22-0, 16 KO's) will take on his toughest test to date when he steps in the ring against undefeated prospect Daniel Edouard (16-0-2, 9 KO's). Taylor says that he is looking for a big fight upon beating Edouard. It should be noted that Jermain Taylor was set face Eastman in an elimination bout for the right to fight Bernard Hopkins and Taylor would not make the fight. Maybe Taylor and his camp know something about Eastman that we may soon find out?

Round by Round Coverage Has Officially Started, Stay with us and reload this page often for up to the minute round by round coverage.

The first bout of the evening is coming up undefeated Jermain Taylor takes on friend and former sparring partner, undefeated Daniel Edouard. Taylor is looked upon as the biggest rising threat  to Bernard Hopkins, Edouard looks to make his own mark tonight. One man will lose their status of being undefeated.

Taylor is coming to the ring at 170 pounds, Edouard is coming in at 167 pounds. Edouard is 5'8, Taylor is 6'1. HBO feels that Edouard is giving up too much in height and reach. They said Edouard has a hard punch and a very good amateur background, winning 82 amateur fights. Edouard has been sparring with Kassim Ouma for this fight. Edouard has sparred almost 60 rounds with Taylor in the past so he knows him very well.

Round 1 - They come out slow, Taylor is working that jab. Now Edouard is working his jab. Taylor lands two right hands that knocks Edouard back hard. Edouard with a left, Taylor with another right. Edouard with a three punch combo. Taylor stuns Edouard and Edouard keeps on coming. Edouard is making it a rough fight by trying to wrestle Taylor when the clinch. Taylor pumping that hard jab. Taylor wins the first round on my card.

Round 2 - Edouard charges at Taylor and Jermain pumps that hard jab. The two of them start to get off their jabs and big shots. Edouard is lands two good lefts and now starts landing a hard jab of his own. Huge left hand by Taylor, a huge right cross by Taylor. Another round for Taylor.

Round 3 - Big right by Taylor as the two start to mix it up at close range. Taylor steps back and Edouard jumps back in to close the distance so Taylor can't get his jab off. Left hook by Edouard and another. Uppercut by Taylor. Hard jabs by Taylor, another uppercut by Taylor. Edouard is reaching with his punches. Huge three punch combo ended by a left hook and Edouard is hurt bad. Another left by Taylor and Edouard is wobbling around hurt. Jermain jumps on Edouard battering him in the corner. The ref has stopped the fight to prevent Edouard from getting hurt any further. This fight is over and a huge three round TKO win for Taylor which could set him up against the winner of Hopkins-Eastman.

Larry Merchant seems to be having words with Edouard who is trying to get in on the post fight interview with Jermain Taylor.

HBO said that Hopkins wants to fight Jermain Taylor in either May or June, should he beat Eastman tonight.

Mike Tyson is now speaking Jim Lampley. Tyson is praising Jermain Taylor. HBO is killing time because the first fight ended so fast that the main event fighters are not ready to start fighting. Hopkins is still not done wrapping his hands.

Tyson said that Taylor should have at least 4-5 more fights before fighting Hopkins. Tyson is now praising Max Schmeling and they are showing video clips of Schmeling. Tyson talking about the importance of Schmeling beating Joe Louis. Tyson said that his knee is doing much better and he wants to get back into the ring.

There is plenty of time being killed. HBO is now interviewing Oscar De La Hoya about his new career of promoting. Oscar looks pretty big and nowhere near a welterweight. Oscar is much physically bigger then Lampley, appears to have a belly and a very obvious double-chin. Oscar said that Hopkins wants to fight Taylor, he said that Taylor is still making mistakes and can't get away from a jab. Oscar spoke about Judah's win over Spinks and said that he will be back at 147 pounds to fight the best.

It appears that they are ready for the main event. Howard Eastman is making his way down to the ring. Bernard Hopkins is now in the ring and Michael Buffer is announcing both fighters to the crowd.

Hopkins has Mike Tyson with him and Zab Judah.

Round 1 - Eastman comes out with a lazy jab, Hopkins is just circling Eastman. Hopkins with a good bodyshot. Hopkins looks stiff and both men are taking their time to pick spots by throwing lazy jabs. The entire crowd is booing. Both guys are being very defensive and the crowd is getting restless. Both men paw with their jabs, they both miss big shots at the end of the round and the crowd boos. Very close round goes to Hopkins, could go either way as both guys did not do much.

Round 2 - Compubox has both men landing 3 punches each in the last round. Eastman tries fo an uppercut and left hook. Eastman tries to the body, Hopkins misses a right. Bodyshot by Eastman, jab to the chest by Eastman. Combo by Eastman. Good right by Hopkins, a very slow pace and the crowd is booing again. Jab by Eastman, Hopkins jumps in and lands a few shots. Hopkins dancing around the ring and the crowd is booing loud now. Neither man doing much again in this round. Close round I will give to Eastman.

Round 3 - HBO has the same score as me. Eastman seems to be getting more aggressive and coming forward. Hopkins misses a big right, Hopkins moving around and trying to make Eastman tire himself out. Everytime they get tied up, both men try to punch until the ref breaks them up. Hopkins jumps in and lands a good lefthook. Good right by Eastman as he chases Hopkins into the ropes. Jab by Eastman. Right by Eastman, both guys hold and hit until the ref breaks them up. Hopkins fighting very dirty, hitting Eastman low everytime they get tied up. Close round I will give to Eastman.

Round 4 - HBO has the same score as me. Eastman jumps on Hopkins and they get tied up. Eastman is leading the fight, right by Hopkins and Eastman lands his right. Big right by Eastman, lefthook by Hopkins. Lefthook inside by Hopkins, Eastman is chasing Hopkins around. Crowd is booing again. They keep getting tied up and hitting, hard right by Eastman. Two good lefts by Hopkins. Close round that I will give to Hopkins.

Round 5 - HBO has the same score as me. Eastman chases Bernard around and they still keep getting tied up. Big right by Eastman and the crowd is on it's feet as Hopkins stands his ground for a moment. Uppercut by Bernard. Bodyshots by Eastman, uppercut by Hopkins. Hopkins is still running around and Eastman is still following him around. They start to go to war and throw big shots, crowd on it's feet again. Big jab by Eastman. Lefthook by Hopkins, Eastman with a right and Hopkins with a huge lefthook. Crowd cheers at the end. Close round that I will give to Hopkins, fight is heating up.

Round 6 - Hopkins is on the move with Eastman chasing. Lefthook by Hopkins and a right hand behind it, another left by Hopkins. Uppercut by Hopkins. Eastman now trying to work the body. Good jab by Eastman. Welt outside Eastman's right eye. Right by Eastman. Left by Hopkins at the bell. Hopkins getting the round.

Round 7 - HBO gave Eastman round 5, Hopkins got the last round by HBO. Eastman trying to jump on Hopkins and Hopkins ties him up. Right by Eastman, Hopkins with a lefthook. Eastman with a good combo on the inside. Bodyshots by Eastman. Right hand by Hopkins. Straight right by Hopkins. Crowd starts to boo again as Hopkins dances around. They have words at the end of the round. Hopkins getting this round close on my card.

Round 8 - Eastman's corner telling him to let his hands go. HBO gave round 6 to Hopkins. Good right by Eastman and another. Straight left by Hopkins. Big right by Eastman and a right cross that drives Eastman into the ropes, Hopkins jumps on him and they exchange bodyshots, ref breaks them up. Eastman goes for a combo, Hopkins sticks his chin out and laughs. Eastman with two good lefts, another left and a huge right that drives Hopkins back. Hopkins with a jab. Good right by Hopkins. Both men start trading at the ten second mark and continue after the bell as the ref barely breaks them apart. Crowd on its feet. Close round that I will give to Hopkins, could of went to Eastman. 

Round 9 - HBO gave 8 to Hopkins. Eastman gets Hopkins against the ropes and Hopkins gets away. Eastman with a right hand, Hopkins with a big left and another left as Eastman chases him around. Right by Hopkins and Eastman with a right. Eastman goes for a combo, hard right by Hopkins catches Eastman on the chin. Another round for Hopkins.

Round 10 - HBO gave Hopkins the last round. Hopkins lands the jab. Big lefthook by Hopkins pushes Eastman back. They fight against the ropes. Good combo by Hopkins. They hold and trade punches on the inside. Left by Hopkins. They jab, Hopkins charges Eastman and gets caught with an uppercut. Hard chopping right by Hopkins at the end. Another round for Hopkins.

Round 11 - Eastman chasing Hopkins around and gets hit with the jab. Lefthook by Hopkins. Hopkins seemed off balance after Eastman lands a bodyshot. They trade close, Hopkins with a right. Hopkins turnds southpaw. Uppercut by Hopkins and land a big left and right combo. Eastman sticks the jab aout there and lands a big left. Another round for Hopkins.

Round 12 - Eastman needs a KO to win. Eastman's corner telling him to go for the knockout in the round. They start throwing big shots at the start and both miss. They trade on the inside. Hopkins now circling around Eastman and lands a big lefthook, then a right. They trade against the ropes, ref breaks them. Combo by Eastman. Right by Hopkins, now a hard left by Hopkins. Uppercut by Eastman. Combo by Hopkins. Fight is over, Hopkins gets the round and easily wins the fight on my card. HBO's final card is 117-111 for Hopkins. Official scores are coming up.

119-110, 117-111 and 116-112 for the winner and still undisputed middleweight champion of the world, Bernard Hopkins.