I'm not from England or Britain, so tell me something about this guy. I've never seen this guy in action, although I hear good things. Is this guy as good as people say? I looked at his record and nothing on it suggests he's a world beater. How's his chin? Power? Skill? Speed? Stamina? Will this guy have a shot at Hopkins?

Eastman lost to Joppy but was coming on as the fight went on he just started a liitle slow but if you recall joppy is an ultimate b level fighter, pretty good not great, defensively is horrible, so if eastman couldn't beat joppy then? absolutely no chance against nard. He will not be quicker, stronger, or the more skilled of the two in the ring. Nard will possess physical advantages (hieght, reach, punching power). If Eastman comes and fights as if he thinks he can win... Nard by 7th, 8th round KO something mid to late rounds

We never actually got to see the first half of the Joppy fight in the UK, only the second.

From what I saw, Eastman may have lost on points (his own post-fight verdict: "I was robbed!") Howard had the thing completely in control. He even offered Joppy two free shots at his chin, mocked Joppy for running for the last round and KD'ed him in the 12th.

For rounds 7-12 I had Howard winning them all - the last round obviously had to be a 10-8 round... so how did Howard lose?

I've seen more than a few HE fights and the only time I've seen him look remotely troubled from a shot was in his last fight. His opponent pulled out late in the day and the only guy they could get in at late notice was a light heavy.


I don't believe in judging by records, as HE just hasn't had an opportunity - how long has he been harranguing Hopkins for a fight now? Two years at least.

Here's two Howard highlights:

In his last fight he went up against a light-heavy.

He offered Joppy two free shots to the jaw and mockingly staggered when he took them.


Actually, a third - Howard getting the crowd on side by looking out of the ring trying to "find" cowardly Joppy.

Two things: First, I want to get Eastman-Joppy. Second, I want to see Hopkins-Eastman. This sounds pretty interesting.

I've just been checking and the scorecards were:

Judge Chuck Giampa: 113-113
Robert Watson: 114-112 (Joppy)
Bill Graham: 115-112 (Joppy)


What bugs me is that whenever Howard is mentioned Joppy is always brought up soon after. It should be noted that the crowd widely booed this decision, though it appears I may have got things wrong. According to http://www.boxingtimes.com/analyses/2001/011117joppy_eastman.html (which is a decent read, revealing that Howard was stunned earlier in the fight) Joppy was upright for a standing eight count in the twelfth... however, he had to use his glove to keep him upright in the 8th.

I do believe Eastman is a world class operator, i just can't see him outboxing Bernard.

The only way he would win imo would be if he fought the fight of his life and 'Nard had an off-night, or even suddenly "got old"

I agree, I think Hopkins will win, though people who haven't seen Howard will be surprised how competitive he makes it.

I've got money (and points) on Howard though.

B-Hop by Ko in 9.

Eastman lost to Joppy but was coming on as the fight went on he just started a liitle slow but if you recall joppy is an ultimate b level fighter, pretty good not great, defensively is horrible, so if eastman couldn't beat joppy then? absolutely no chance against nard. He will not be quicker, stronger, or the more skilled of the two in the ring. Nard will possess physical advantages (hieght, reach, punching power). If Eastman comes and fights as if he thinks he can win... Nard by 7th, 8th round KO something mid to late rounds


Just because he lost a MD to Joppy doesnt mean he wont give Nard a fight. I havent seen the fight, but I know is that he should be coming in to fight Nard in top condition and anything can happen.

Yeah, I do disagree about considering form with fighters... look at Ali/Foreman/Frazier.

However, while it can give an indication - such as Lennox's and Tyson's respective battles with Holyfield - you could just as easily point to Tyson demolishing Bruno and Lennox having troubles with him.

The Joppy-Eastman fight was extremely close and I see some posters here who have not seen the fight, saying that Eastman was robbed. I saw the fight about a week ago and scored it 114-113 for Eastman but a close points win for Joppy was also acceptable. Hopkins will beat Eastman but I think the fight might be competitive.

I think Bernard Hopkins is going to be pumped for this fight because he can make it 20 straight, I don't think Eastman stands a chance.

i dont know if eastman has ever been ko'ed..but if he hasnt..its gonna be a bad night for him...hopkins is gonna give him confidence..the take it all away by schooling and owning him..then ko'ing him like he did to dlh and tito

Eastman was clearly better than joppy but he just froze up at the start and just got outworked early, but then did what hopkins did in the final rounds. Eastman ain't gonna just rollover but i don't expect him to win. Close UD for Hops in a competitive but typically boring Hopkins fight.

eastman was robbed, i thought. i had him winning the fight by 2 rds. i haven't seen it since, though. i saw it when it was on, and i thought that joppy lost, flat out.
i think eastman is going to be a competitive challanger, he has a good work ethic and a pretty decent chin. with all that being said, i see hopkins giving him a beating. whatever eastman does hopkins is going to have a answer, i would say this fight goes the distance, with hopkins coming away with a UD, after eastman looks better than average in taking a beating. he doesn't have anything that hopkins hasn't seen before...........hopkins gets 20 Wins...... but is going to have to work for it........

The only way Eastman wins is if he fights a perfect fight AND Hopkins decides to finally act his age, which i don't see happening. but I think that about anyone fighting Hopkins right now. He's just too smart and skilled to lose to Eastman

Hopkins should win but as people have said I don't think it will be easy, it's Eastman's defence that i'm worried about as he has been tagged cleanly be lower class fighters but his chin has shown no signs of being fragile plus Howard has been very inacitve recently and that probably won't help either so I reckon it could be a points win for Bernard.
R.E. the Joppy fight, Eastman got outboxed in some of the rounds with the extra speed of Joppy but he did finish like a train and have Joppy in trouble at the end though it was a close fight either way and Eastman couldn't complain of getting robbed of a close decision away from home. Jay Nady was a joke though, he never got off Eastman's back that night.

The only way Eastman wins is if he fights a perfect fight AND Hopkins decides to finally act his age, which i don't see happening. but I think that about anyone fighting Hopkins right now. He's just too smart and skilled to lose to EastmanHow many times have you seen Eastman fight?

he is a good solid if slow paced lazy figher with a rock solid chin and good power. He definitely has a chance against hopkins

How many times have you seen Eastman fight?
I have to confess, I have only seen Eastman fight once. Joppy. I guess I am bias. Does Eastman really have what it takes to win?