Eastman gets shot at world title fight

The blatant manipulation of a world championship title has handed an unexpected bonus to London boxer Howard Eastman.

It was today confirmed that Eastman's clash with William Joppy in Las Vegas on Saturday week will now be for the world middleweight title that has been declared vacant by the WBA.

The previous holder, Bernard Hopkins, has been promoted to the status of 'Super Champion' in recognition of his feat in unifying the middleweight division by outclassing the previously unbeaten Felix Trinidad in New York last month.

That will obviously boost Hopkins' ego, but the move basically means that more people can cash in on the renewed interest in middleweight boxing. While it clearly devalues the status of the WBA belt, Eastman is not complaining.

Speaking to Standard Sport from his training base in Florida, the 31-year-old from Battersea said: "I believe it is my destiny to become world champion, and I have every intention of bringing the title back to Britain."

Stretching his unbeaten record to 33 fights with victory over Joppy, a former WBA title-holder, on the undercard to the heavyweight rematch between Lennox Lewis and Hasim Rahman could put Eastman in line for a crack at Hopkins early next year.

Meanwhile, the Peacock ABC will tomorrow seek to elevate the status of amateur boxing by hosting a match against Elsmere Port at London's new ExCel Exhibition Centre. Club official Paul Kingsley said: "We want to turn the spotlight on amateur boxing."