Boxing: Eastman lands Hopkins match!

Three years after a heartbreaking defeat to William Joppy in Las Vegas, Howard Eastman has finally earned his chance at world middleweight title redemption. Eastman has secured his lucrative shot at undisputed world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins - who will put his four belts on the line at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 19.

It is the dream fight Eastman has pursued since excessive showboating arguably cost him a majority decision loss against Joppy, whom he had dropped in the final sessions of their bout in November 2001.

Eastman's performance was good enough to freeze him out of a rematch - and force him into three years of frustratingly low-key European title defences. But after steering the Battersea 34-year-old into the WBC's mandatory contender position, Eastman's promoter Mick Hennessy was jubilant when contracts were finally signed for the contest.

Sportinglife