Howard Eastman Proves He Is "For Real"

By Tony Nobbs

18.11.01 - Eccentric British Middleweight Howard Eastman proved tonight that he is "for real" and can well be regarded as the "Uncrowned WBA Middleweight Champion" after dropping William Joppy in the final seconds of their twelve round vacant title fight before losing a majority decision. This writer had the 30 year old "Battersea Bomber" winning by 115-112 (7-5 in rounds) but it can hardly be called a highway robbery. Eastman left his run too late and left it in the hands of the judges. He could have done more and removed any doubt. If only those right hands connected earlier in round 12, he would have finished Joppy and along with Lennox Lewis' sensational Knockout over Hasim Rahman made it a wonderful night for British boxing.

After looking nervous in the opening rounds and struggling with Joppy's hand speed and movement Eastman got going from the eighth round when he momentarily hurt the American with a couple well placed right uppercut. He clowned towards the end of round after Joppy landed a nice right and this tactic seemed to break Joppy's rythmn . From that time he seemed to dominate the pace and had a particularly good ninth moving forward behind a snappy jab and forcing Joppy on the backmove.. He continued the good form in the tenth but Joppy came back late in the stanza cornering Eastman and landing cleanly.

The eleventh was a narrow round for Eastman with not a lot done. After being motivated in the corner between rounds both came out to close the fight strongly. Eastman connected a pair of solid rights to floor Joppy in the final seconds. Too late. The good work and the rounds he put in the bank early was enough for Joppy to wear the WBA Middleweight belt for the third time. The official scores were 113-113, and 114-112 / 115-112 for the man from 31 year old from Washington DC. Some of the early rounds, especially three, four and five were tight and though the British, European and Commonwealth champion may not have won the WBA Crown he won many fans. The decision was not received well at all by the crowd (how many Poms"s were in the place?) to which the new Champion said "I thought I won most of the rounds big. He won the last scoring the knock down. I've been Champ for six years and I'm back where I belong"

Since Bernard Hopkins and Bouie Fisher exposed Felix Trinidad Snr's illegal taping technique, Joppy has felt he was hard done by in his Title losing fight (ko5) to Trinidad in May and has publicly labelled the Puerto Rican as a cheat. When questioned why he stood up between rounds he replied "I've stood up all my career. It helps me get my wind" As to what is in his future"I want to thank Don King and see what he says". The title became vacant when the WBA recognised Hopkins as a "Super Champion". Fantastic, but it makes things confusing. After watching Joppy struggle with the #1 rated Eastman it is hard to se him surviving against Hopkins. Don King said "It's a night full of electricity and momentum. William Joppy threw punches in bunches. Howard Eastman never got going until late."

Howard Eastman, who was kicked out of home by his strict disciplinarian father, slept wherever he could and joined the Army before embarking on a Professional Boxing career after wining a sleuth of amateur titles almost pulled of a fairy tale and win a World Title. He will be back. His first loss after 32 wins, 29 by knockout was as impressive as he has been and removed any doubts about him being another overated Englishman. He could have won. If boxing got fair dinkum and got to back to 15 rounders he would have.

At times he hit Joppy cleanly, only to smother himself instead of pushing his man back and going again. Joppy (now 33-2-1, 24 ko's) was tiring and more work would have got him home. In the third round he showed unorthodox defence for a guy who stands 6 foot by dipping in front of Joppy and avoided leather. He showed "bottle" as Joppy landed heavy at times and he appeared to fade in the sixth and seventh before coming back . He was fortunate Jay Nady never deducted points as he was constanty warned for hitting and holding and pushing Joppy down (William did not help by coming in low). Joppy regularly circled to his left in front of Howard's right hand but Eastman was always a bit to far out of position to take advantage. Experience. Joppy weighed 171 lb entering the ring, Eastman 162 lb. The Guyanan born Eastman will be better for the fight and is now regaraded to be" for real". Rematch anyone?

Finally, as Joe Bugner predicted last weekend, Lennox Lewis recaptured the WBC and IBF Heavyweight Crowns ,proving that when he is on his game, he may well be the best Heaveyweight since Larry Holmes. This was Lewis' best performance against top opposition since blowing out Razor Ruddock on two heats in 1992. He also showed that when you bait a Champion by calling him "gay" you better watch out. Fortunately Hasim Rahman faired better than Benny Paret after he referred to Emile Griffith as a "maricon" before their Welterweight rubber match in 1962.

Tony Nobbs, Australia

---

William Joppy talks about Trinidad, Hopkins, Holmes, Eastman & his showdown with Chris Byrd

By Ike Enwereuzor
Jacboxing.com

07.11 - This is an interview with former Two-time WBA middleweight champion William Joppy from Lincoln Park, MD now(32-21) with 24KO's who's on the phone with me as he prepares for his next outing since his lost a 5th round KO to four-time world champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad on May 12 this year.

The former world champion will make his next ring appearance on November 17, on Rahman-Lewis card, at mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas against WBA number-one unbeaten Englishman Howard Eastman (32-0) for the vacant WBA middleweight championship. Bernard Hopkins vacated the title after being crown the super champion. Joppy began his professional career on Febuary 26, 1993 in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania by scoring a four-rounds decision over Dwayne Tennet. He lost non of his 22 fights when he became WBA No.1 mandatory challenger. On June 24, 1996, Joppy dismantled Shinji Takehara in ninth round to obtain the WBA middleweight championship in Yokohama, Japan. Joppy floored Takehara in round-one with an overhand right and continued to punish him with combination before ref steped in to stop the fight in 9.

Joppy's first lost came August 23, 1997 in Madison Square Garden, New York City when he lost a 12 rounds controversial decision to former champion, Julio Ceasers Green. On January 31, 1998, Joppy avenged his lost to Green by 12th round decision. His second lost came in May when Trinidad Koed him in fifth to grab the WBA middleweight.

How is training going for your upcoming fight with Howard Eastman Nov 17, on
the Rahman-Lewis undercard?
It's going great, thank you. I have worked with Shane Mosley, Kofi Jantuah, Jeff Lacy and other good fighters. Mosley is one of the fastest fighters today. Kofi's a great fighter.

How long have you been preparing for this fight?
I've been training 2 months now for this fight. We're ready for Eastman.

Your impression of Howard Eastman?
He's a good fighter, undefeated but I'm going to show him how we do it in America. He'll receive a little bit more than he can chew from this American fighter.

What should boxing fans expect on Nov.17?
I'll be back after my lost to Trinidad. My lost to Trinidad didn't do anything to me but make me a stronger man. Trinidad got caught rapping his hands illegally. He has been cheating the fans all this time. I have taken his lost as a man but know people can see that he's been cheating. I took it like a man, I'll be 150% this time. I just made mistakes. Trinidad don't have punching power he has been illegally rapping his hands. Bernard took away his power after he found him rapping his hands illegally. Trinidad
cheated against me and others he fought in the past.

How would you describe your fight with Trinidad?
It was a mistake due I can't give him any credit because he cheated. He hurt in the first round. He doesn't have punching power. He has been rapping his hands illegally.

Your thoughts on Hopkins-Trindad fight?
Bernard Hopkins exposed him. He has been winning his fights by cheating and his father has been doing this for him all this time. They have been cheating all his career.

You were in the dressing room when the national anthem was going on? Why did you decide to be in the lockroom at that time?
I don't even remember that.

Did you get a chance to watch your fight Trinidad over since?
No, I don't wanna see it.

Have you thought of a possible match with Keith Holmes?
I wanted to fight Keith since 1996. He doesn't want to fight me, he keeps complaining about money. Holmes is just a local hero in Baltimore, MD. He don't want to fight me. I think he should retire look at he fought Bernard Hopkins like a girl. I hope Hopkins will fight me.

Your prediction on Rahman-Lewis II?
It will be a repeat! I think Rahman will knock him out again. Hasim is in great shape, focused and dedicated. It's going to be the same result you saw in their first fight in South Africa.

Your thoughts on Tszyu-Judah fight?
I was there. Zab didn't fight his fight, he had the speed but just kept moving back and kept hands down. Zab's experience level wasn't there yet. But I still think Zab has the tools to beat Kostya in a rematch. He just have to go about it different next time.

Your hobbies?
I like hand dancing. Not skitting.

Are you still running your Business in D.C?
No, I sold it after my accident. I had to sell it so I can stay home and heal my body and get fully in boxing game.

When did you start amateur and why did you decide to box?
I started in 1991, I was in the Olympic trails and lost to Chris Byrd

This is Chris Bryd who's a heavyweight now? How would you describe your bout with him then at middleweight?
Yeah, I fought him at middleweight, our fight was a good, I lost to him by points. I thought I beat him but his father was the Olympic team coach then.

Your thought of Chris today at heavyweight division?
He's one of the best out their now. He should get a title shot, he's a great fighter. He should have a chance to fight for the world championship.

What do you remember about your first professional fight?
Nothing but I was so excited getting paid. I was looking for that money.

What's next for you if you defeat Howard Eastman?
I'll take it as it comes but we hope Hopkins wants to fight, our style will beat his. If it doesn't happen then we may fight David Reid or other worthy opponents out there. I'll not give Keith Holmes a shot when I get my title back. I've been trying to fight Holmes since 1996 but he kept giving excuses. I think he should retire, he fought Hopkins like a clown.

Is there anything in Boxing that you wish to accomplish that haven't yet?
I have already been a champion twice so my next step is to go down in history as a legend. 100 years from today I want my name to be up there. Who do you here his name all the time "Muhummed Ali". I want to be like him.

If you were to meet Felix Trinidad again. What would you do different?
You know what. I'll not do anything different. I can beat Trinidad, they have been cheating the public. The only thing I'll do different is to make sure we check his hand rap before the fight. beside, I'll have my same game plan. He got caught cheating by Bernard Hopkins.

Send your comments or questions to: Jacboxing@hotmail.com