Eastman/Hardy bout ends in controversy as ‘Chin Checker’ fails to ‘Chin check’ his man

Oct 15, 2012 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman survived a severe two fisted assault from Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy and launched a late attack that left his man reeling when their 8 rounds light/middleweight bout concluded at Banks DIH Ground, Thirst Park Saturday night.

However, despite the general consensus that the former European champion had done more than enough to clinch the decision, the judges came up with highly inconsistent scores that caused pandemonium as supporters of both boxers erupted into a war of words, each adamant that their choice had prevailed.
The spectators also voiced their dissatisfaction when referee, Eon Jardine, halted the bantamweight encounter between Charlton Skeete and Richard Williamson shortly after it started; this after the latter pugilist had blatantly infringed the rules, hitting his man while he was down.
Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) and local middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou, was also in winners’ row and forced Jermaine King to retire on his stool at the end of 4th round, while former heavyweight champion, Mitchell Rogers brushed aside Anthony Augustin to take a majority verdict in their 6 rounds heavyweight duel.
Judges Bernard DeSantos, Trevor Arno and Carlton Hopkinson scored the bout 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55 respectively, all in favour of Rogers.
Local featherweight champion, Clive Atwell endured an early assault of dirty infighting and suffered a gash to his forehead before turning up the pressure to dispose of Orlan ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers in 48secs of the 5th frame. Rogers presented some difficulties for Atwell while it lasted, scurrying around and delivering a few roundhouse salvoes. A clash of heads opened a gash on Atwell’s forehead halfway into the first frame and necessitated the doctor’s intervention. Upon resumption, Atwell worked up a rhythm and decked Rogers with a stiff combination but the squatty Rogers managed to hold off the inevitable up to the end of the 4th round.
He attacked at the start of 5th round but Atwell was ready for him and unleashed a body assault that sent his man crashing to the canvas. He rose on wobbly legs forcing the referee to halt the proceedings even amidst Roger’s vociferous outcries. It was the 48th second of the round.
Usually slow off his mark, Eastman started the bout at a fast clip, pushing his man back with jabs and right crosses. Hardy danced out of range while employing a two fisted attack. The ‘Candyman’ clearly took that round for better ring generalship and cleaner blows.
Eastman advanced at the start of the second round but Hardy was the aggressor, forcing his man into the V of the red corner while dishing out body and head shots. Eastman then opted for a high guard while delivering the occasional salvo. Despite this, it was all Hardy who finished the round on the attack.
The fight developed into a war of attrition in the third stanza with Eastman turning to his experience. He stuck out a long jab that kept Hardy at bay but the latter fighter soon worked his way in and the two slugged it out in close quarters in a round that could have gone either way.
Hardy started the fourth stanza slowly and just as suddenly exploded with several salvoes to Eastman’s temple. An especially vicious right grazed Eastman’s head and sent him down. He rose, more surprised than hurt, and after the count, launched an attack that had Hardy on the back foot. It was around this juncture that Eastman began to look ominous.
The former European champion charged out in the 5th round and forced Hardy back with well timed combinations. Recently crowned the CABOFE welterweight champion, Hardy retaliated but Eastman’s aggression had sapped his energy and he opted to stay clear of those (Eastman’s) flailing fists.
Hardy changed his attacking ploy at the start of the 5th round and backpedaled while Eastman relentlessly pursued his man. Several salvoes drifted Hardy backwards and forced him to seek refuge in a clinch. The ‘Candyman’ somehow managed to reassert himself and finished the round with light exchanges.
Hardy regained some control at the start of the 6th round and delivered a combination that connected and sent Eastman scurrying backwards. He braced the ropes and dared Hardy to come to him but Hardy adopted a cagey disposition and passed up on the offer.
It was the 7th round when Eastman, apparently getting a second wind, rocked Hardy with a combination of punches. Hardy had no answer for the blows and backed off. Eastman pursued him and unleashed several bombs and Hardy, the man of ‘chin checker’ fame was in trouble. Referee Frankie Brisport then determined that one of Eastman’s punches was a rabbit blow and exercised his prerogative, deducting a point from Eastman’s score. Eastman brushed off the mishap and ended the round as the aggressor.
The 8th round was riddled with inconsistencies as the referee chose to escort Hardy to his corner to fix a piece of equipment. Hardy was given an unfair reprieve while his handlers fussed with him. In the end it proved inconsequential as, upon resumption, Eastman turned up the heat and when the bell rang the most relieved man had to have been Hardy. The majority of those present were sure Eastman had done enough to win until the judges delivered the shocker.
Bernard DeSantos had a more realistic 75-75 scorecard while Trevor Arno saw it 78-75 in favour of Eastman. Clairmont DeSouza scored the bout 79-71, a far cry from his colleagues’ tally.
King flattered to deceive after spewing vitriol at the pre-fight press conference. DeClou was clearly the aggressor, pummeling his man with vicious salvoes. The former pugilist started the bout aggressively, pounding his man while slipping out of range. DeClou, a slow starter, bided his time and by the end of the third round, had his man scurrying for cover from several crunching shots.
King’s best moment occurred early in the 4th round when he punished DeClou with several ‘crunchers’ but a persevering DeClou shrugged off the blows and ripped in a vicious uppercut that sent King crashing to the canvas. The bell came to his rescue but a clearly hurt King was totally uninterested in continuing and threw in the towel at the end the 4th round.
Williamson had no one but himself to blame for his misfortune. His punches were heavier and he was clearly the superior boxer, evident when he floored Skeete with a stiff flurry. Inexplicably, he chose to strike his fallen foe while he was crouched on the canvas eliciting a warning from the referee. He risked it again shortly after and the referee promptly sent him packing at 1:45secs of the first round.
The attendance was appalling; the action in the ring somewhat exciting but the Williamson/Skeete decision left a bittersweet taste in the mouth of fans. They had only just recovered when the Hardy/Eastman decision reinstated their anger. Many left the arena vowing never to return to another boxing match. It was a sad indictment and maybe the death knell of the sport already tottering for survival.

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