Eastman prevails in title scorcher but Lewis cries foul

Oct 27, 2008 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
The heated exchange of words that characterized the pre-fight press conference between Howard ‘The Battersea Bomber’ Eastman and Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis erupted into a full fledged inferno and when the smoke had cleared, the ‘Battersea Bomber,’ though bruised and tired, was adjudged ‘winner and still champion,’  while ‘Sixhead’ slowly trudged to his dressing room, feeling that he was ‘done in.’

Dubbed ‘the Perfect Storm,’ the fight for the local middleweight title had all the ingredients of a world title encounter as both Lewis and Eastman, recognizing the importance of a victory, went after each other’s jugular with such ferocity that it was remarkable that they were still standing at the end of the 12 rounds slugfest. 

The judges’ scorecard underlined the closeness of the bout. Bernard Dos Santos felt that Lewis was the better man by scores of 114-111. Clairmont DeSouza gave Eastman the edge 115-110, while Carlton Hopkinson broke the stalemate, awarding the bout to Eastman by a slim 113-112 margin.  

The bout commenced with both principals engaging in the ‘feeling out’ process, each searching for the first sign of an advantage. Eastman, the taller of the two, an attribute suited for long-range warfare, strangely chose to match Lewis’ infighting ploys, allowing the former World Boxing Council welterweight champion to enjoy some early successes.

In this round also, despite the referee keeping a sharp eye on the proceedings, Eastman stitched in a few dirty punches that went unnoticed and subsequently unpunished by the referee.

Lewis remained oblivious to Eastman’s unsavory ploys and responded with a four-punch body attack. The taller Eastman continued to fight up close and at times was even getting the better of Lewis in this department. Suddenly, after a close exchange, the referee stopped the proceedings and summoned the ringside physician. Lewis had sustained a deep gash over his right eye. After a cursory examination, the doctor ruled that the cut was not life threatening while the referee ruled that it was an accidental mishap. He then ordered a resumption.  

Round two was a replica of the first with each fighter enjoying some successes but not enough action to stir the small crowd. When the third bell sounded Lewis, who by now had chosen to adopt a southpaw stance, rushed out and dealt Eastman a stiff one-two combination. The ‘Battersea Bomber’ took it like a man and launched an in-close attack of his own. When the two were separated blood was gushing from Lewis’ injured eye as Eastman took great advantage of Lewis’ impediment.

The referee was kept very busy in round 4 following Lewis’ decision to launch a vicious body attack on Eastman who responded with a wicked uppercut. Thereafter, Eastman started to load up his punches but Lewis detected the ploy and safely danced out of range.

In round 5, Eastman turned up the heat and had Lewis on the retreat. Realizing that he was losing ground, Lewis regrouped and dished out a two-fisted assault of his own. The small crowd settled down for an entertaining second half of the fight.

Eastman started round 7 very aggressively clipping Lewis with several glancing head shots. As Eastman turned up the heat, Lewis chose to retreat. Apparently interpreting this as tiredness on Lewis part, Eastman lashed out with a straight right just as Lewis stepped on a wet potion of the canvass and down went Lewis forcing the referee to institute a mandatory 8 count.

Eastman appeared to be assuming control of the bout resulting in the mercurial crowd quickly switching loyalty. Patrons jumped over to Eastman’s corner loudly chanting his name. The pace of the fight abated somewhat in the early stages of the eight frame as both warriors sought a breather.

Midway in this round Eastman lashed out and blood once again began to pour incessantly from Lewis eyes. Eastman then ruthlessly took aim at the damaged eye thus increasing Lewis’ misery. Just when it appeared as though Lewis was done, he experienced a resurgence and snapped Eastman’s head with a vicious left hook. He followed up with an attack to the body, interposing with head shots. ‘Sixhead’ ended this round as the aggressor.

Eastman appeared to be tired as the bell to signal the ninth round sounded. Lewis took advantage of the situation and rocked his man with several salvoes. Thereafter, a slugfest ensued with both fighters lashing out viciously. Eastman then pinned down Lewis’ hand while delivering a blow of his own. Lewis responded with a roundhouse punch that landed behind Eastman’s head. The referee jumped in and deducted a point from each fighter for this blatant transgression of the rules.

Apparently, intent on regaining the point, Lewis lashed out and connected to Eastman’s jaw. Down went Eastman. Instead of instituting the mandatory 8 count, the referee strangely ruled that Eastman had slipped. He later said that he did not see a punch.

When the bell sounded for round 10, Lewis sprinted out and rocked Eastman with a double left hook. The former British Empire champion wobbled but did well to regain his composure. He then sought refuge in a clinch.

Lewis changed his ploys and started to bob and weave at the start of the eleventh stanza. He subsequently switched to southpaw further confusing Eastman. Nearing the end of this round, Eastman found a new surge of energy and took control of the second half. The stage was then set for an interesting final round.

Eastman decided to box around in the opening minutes of the final stanza while Lewis chose to stalk his man. Both fighters gave as many as they took, each determined to end on a high note. They both enjoyed bright moments in this round and when the final bell sounded the pundits knew that the judges would have had their work cut out for them. In the end, Bernard Dos Santos and Clairmont DeSouza set up the intrigue. Carlton Hopkinson simply completed the honours for Eastman.

When asked to comment on the fight, an obviously distraught Lewis declined to comment saying that he was feeling too frustrated to talk about the fight. However, his coach Lenox Daniels was livid and lashed out at what he referred to as poor officiating, “Which fight were those judges looking at?” he wanted to know.

Eastman was next approached for a comment. Apparently disturbed by the taunting of some of Lewis supporters, he angrily replied, “I won the fight for my fans and family,” before he angrily marched in the dressing room and slammed the door.

In the main supporting bout Rawle Frank proved to be too much for Winston Pompey, forcing him to quit on his stool in the sixth round. Junior lightweight Leon Moore proved too much for Cecil Smith, opening a cut over his right eye that forced the doctor to order a halt to the proceedings at 2 minutes 1 second of the fifth frame.

Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry bullied Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers on his way to a unanimous verdict while Lindener, Sharon Warde outgunned Veronica Blackman on her way to a split decision verdict.

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