28.01.04 – Hennessy Sports team trainer Robert McCracken has tipped Howard Eastman to deal with Sergey Tatevosyan’s challenge for his European middleweight title this Friday (January 30th) at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham in emphatic style. “Howard is in good shape at the moment,” said former British and Commonwealth champion McCracken, who remarkably shared a ring with his charge in a 2001 triple title fight…”
“He is sharp, strong and seems to be punching as hard as ever.
“Tatevosyan wont enjoy having to face that kind of power.
“I’m not saying the Russian isn’t talented – in fact he looks very useful indeed, holds a win over former WBO champion Armand Krajnc and is an awkward southpaw – but when Howard starts finding him with big shots he will realise what he is up against.”
McCracken feels that the ‘Battersea Bomber’ – undefeated in 39 bar a controversial 2001 Las Vegas points loss to William Joppy for the WBA title – will go on to win a world title.
“Howard has everything, he is the full package – a truly top class-operator.
“That is why when he gets his rightful opportunity against undisputed champion Bernard Hopkins – in what will be a fascinating encounter between the world’s two stand out middleweights – he will duly oblige.
“When he is in shape, Eastman is the best there is.”
McCracken, having himself been at the top of the tree, should know a good fighter when he sees one.
According to promoter Mick Hennessy he has also excelled at training an impressive talent.
“Howard has improved dramatically since the Joppy fight,” said Hennessy. “A large part of that is down to Robert.
“Whilst Howard deserved to get the decision that night, he did come out of the blocks slowly and failed to press his advantage. That wouldn’t happen again.
“Robert has made him more aware, helped improved his sharpness, technique and power.
“The combination of Robert’s astuteness and Howard’s dedication and immense natural ability will see Howard a world champion by the end of the year.”
Howard Eastman meets Sergey Tatevosyan on Friday 30th January at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre. The rest of the Hennessy Sports team – including the world’s hottest prospect Carl Froch, Lenny Daws and Matthew Thirlwall – also feature. For tickets please call 020 8815 4028.