Despite his failed bid to capture the title of the Wray and Nephew Contender Series, third place finisher in the annual Jamaican tournament, Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman vowed to bounce back and continue his career.
In his first interview with a local daily since returning from the Land of Wood and Water last week, the 43-year old told this publication that he has no plans for hanging up the gloves and is looking forward to his next ring date.
Always a positive thinker, Eastman 49 (KO 38)-13 (KO 2) said “I’m looking to get back in the ring at my natural weight (middleweight), I did a tremendous thing by going down to welterweight and I think that is terrific for a fighter of my age.
There’s a lot of young fighters that would never even think about doing that but I’m a warrior, I’m not retired from boxing, I love this sport and hopefully I’m on the next card”.
Eastman then spoke briefly about his three months competing in the Series which concluded Wednesday with Sakima Mullings defeating Tsetsi Davis.
“It was a difficult experience, it was a hard journey. I didn’t get to complete my mission and win the championship but coming back home alive is what was most important.”
The J$250,000 third prize was also a plus.
The New Amsterdam resident who was a fan favourite in the tournament added that he “Had a great reception with the Jamaican fans.” The reception was terrific, they showed me love and they didn’t want me to leave, it’s a fun place to be.”
Eastman then noted that he is open to returning to the reggae renowned island to ply his trade.
“I would go back to Jamaica and have a few bouts, they want to see me fight, and the fans are great which I’m very happy about.”
On his way to the semifinal, Eastman defeated Derrick ‘Guts’ Spencer (KO R2) and Kevin ‘Bus Boy’ Hylton (Unanimous Decision).
He was then unanimously defeated by Jamaican, Davis.
The winner pocketed an appetizing J$2M while the runner-up took home J$500,000.
Revlon Lake, Gladwin Dorway, Gardel ‘The Judge’ Roberts and Derrick ‘Dangerous’ Richmond were Guyana’s other representatives in the series. The four boxers lost their opening bouts and returned to their training bases.
Sixteen boxers (eight from Jamaica and eight from Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados) started competing for a share of J$3M in prize money (Emmerson Campbell)
