Did Eastman choose who's promoting his fight?

[kborges]

I thought I read that if Eastman did not staighten out his promoting problem in 7 days they were going to name someone else mandatory.

[K-Yo]

is he not hopkins mandotory?

[QueenCity]

Does anyone know what is going on with that situation, I thought Hopkins-Eastman was all but inked and ready to go.

[kborges]

Dark forces appear to be at work behind the scenes, and just as Howard Eastman draws ever closer to his showdown with Bernard Hopkins, it appears that the toothsome ones are circling in for their share.

It appears, if some reports are to be believed, that some muddying of the waters regarding Howard Eastman’s contractual situation could be the deciding factor in whether or not his clash with middleweight king Hopkins comes off or not. The WBC are reporting a contractual dispute between Howard Eastman and his promoter of record Mick Hennessy, suggesting that there is a conflict between that contract and interest from other promoters.

It seems slightly odd that such an announcement is coming from a sanctioning body, and makes me wonder whether they would secretly like to see the fight fall through in preference of the much more bankable Trinidad, who would generate whopping sanctioning fees for a rematch if and when it happens.

Don King is getting in the mix, no doubt looking to get options on Hopkins or Eastman so he can put together a fight with his main man Felix Trinidad, arguably the biggest draw in boxing with the declining interest in Oscar DeLaHoya’s career, at least according to former promoter Bob Arum.

According to the WBC, Eastman, currently contracted to Hennessy sports, is involved in talks with Don King and Top Rank, whilst his current promoter Mick Hennessy is stating that his contract with Eastman is binding until 2006. It seems likely that those looking in from the outside want to get a piece of Eastman just in case he should do the unthinkable and win against B-hop.
Eastman has until December 11th to clarify his position otherwise the fight will go to purse bids.

There have been rumours and whispers circulating for the last few months regarding Eastman’s promotional contract with Hennessy sports. It was rumoured that there was a split in the making when Felix Trinidad was put in the #1 spot after beating welterweight Mayorga. Subsequently it transpired that Hennessy had been successful in holding the WBC to upholding their own rules.

It’s been a very difficult year for British promoters, who have witnessed what could be the death of boxing on terrestrial TV. There’s been much speculation that Hennessy sports is about to go belly up throughout this year, but thus far, they’ve hung in there despite a climate hardly conducive to new promotional blood.

The BBC, the only terrestrial channel covering domestic and overseas professional boxing with anything like regularity, have stated that as of next year they will not be covering the professional scene any longer, cutting back their coverage to concentrate solely the amateur sport. I’ve had this personally stated to me by a ‘BBC spokesperson.’

If Eastman’s contract with Hennessy is as watertight as claimed, then Hennessy sports will remain in the position to dictate terms; if not however, then things could get very interesting. If a deal is not reached soon, the fight goes to purse bids, and there should be a lot of money on the table from interested parties.

You have to hope that Eastman doesn’t act rashly and jeopardise what is surely his last chance at a genuine title shot, after having been on the outside looking in since his loss to William Joppy in 2002. British fight fans have waited a long time to see Eastman get his second bite at the cherry, and I believe he’s got as good a chance of anyone in the division right now, of beating Hopkins.

By the 11th December we should know whether or not Eastman gets his shot, and Hennessy gets his due.

[The Fix]

it would be pretty ****ty if he lost his chance at b-hop because of a promoter. promoters shouldnt be a part of boxing and eastman deserves his shot

[sssse]

In my opinion, Howard Eastman very good boxer. But he doesnt lack something for successfull development of his careee.

[IwatchBoxing]

Tito vs Hopkins!!!