It was a pleasure to see Bernard Hopkins at work against Howard Eastman in his 20th defense of his middleweight title at Staples Center, Los Angeles on Feb. 19th, 2005.  He didn't so much as outpunch Eastman or outwork him, he simply outpolished him.  Inside at out he fought when he wanted to, moved when he wanted to, and landed the sharper punches throughout.  Congratulations, Bernard.  Of course, I am on his side:  January 15th is his birthdate, same as mine.  I guess great men come in twos!  For purchases, 5x7's are $7.  8x10's are $10.  UPS shipping is $8.  Email me for facts.
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1.  Hopkins has all the belts.  Can he keep them?
2.  Hello Mr. Eastman.  Welcome to the US.
3.  Eastman starts out pressing.  Hopkins has time.

4.  Now where are those openings?
5.  Let's try the hook.
6.  Also, the jab.

7.  Now which way does he move
8.
9.

10.  Eastman worked the body.  
11.
12.  Time to cuff him.

13.  Classic pose.
14.  So near yet so far.
15.

16.  Eastman worked at it but to no avail.
17.  Punching in spots but effectively.
18.

19.  Almost, left hand.
20.  Almost, right hand.
21.  Short and sweet.

22.  Hold that neck.
23.
24.

25.  Over the top.
26.
27.  Trying to slow the old man down.

28.  Maybe chasing him will work.
29.
30.  Maybe this angle will work.

31.
32.  Stopped in tracks.
33.

34.
35.
36.  Success.

37.
38.
39.  Try and try again.

40.  Eastman never seemed to lose focus.
41.  Hopkins always put that one inch between
getting hit and not getting hit.
42.

43.  A little punishment helps control the tempo.
44.  And he keeps the belts.
45.  Oscar de la Hoya in background smiling.
Maybe they can make money together.

In other action, the heir apparent to Hopkins, Jermain Taylor scored an impressive 3rd round KO of Daniel Edouard.


1.  Taylor threw some heavy right hands.
2.  Jab as rangefinder.
3.  Hands up and ready.

4.  Looking in.
5. In close.
6.  Edouard lands some too.

7.  Short, sweet left.
8.  Taylor has the look of a rangy light heavy rather than a middleweight.
9.  That right has steam.  But can he hit Hopkins with it?

10.  Edouard tried hard but...
11.  Landing good punches up close.
12.  This is the right hand that rocked Edouard

13.  Edouard gives ground.
14.  Ref steps in.
15.  The happy winner.

MORE TO COME:  KINGSLEY IKEKE VS. MARCOS PRIMERA AND JUNIOR WITTER VS. LOVEMORE N'DOU


1.  Junior Witter looks over Lovemore N'Dou.
2.  Lovemore N'Dou looks over Junior Witter.
3.  Time to tangle.

4.  Witter's speed and power dominated the
early rounds.
5.  Hurt him.
6.  All over him.

7.  Witter was so positive of his speed superiority that he kept his hands down.  Later on in the fight he paid the price.
8.  Witter unloads, resulting in...
9.  ...a knockdown.

10.  N'Dou had no quit in him.
11.  Both men unloading.
12.  Inside left hook.

13.  After this 2nd knockdown, N'Dou came on but not enough to make up the two trips to the canvas.
14.  
15.

16.  On the ropes, Witter dominated.
17.  Payback time.
18.  The crowd booed but Witter deserved the win.

In another middleweight fight  Kingsley Ikeke chopped up Marcos Primera for a TKO win.

1.  Tall guy getting the range.
2.  Primera tried to press but he didn't land much.
3.

4.  Missing by a lot.
5.
6.  Keeping him on the outside.

7.  Jab and move.
8.  As the cuts opened Primera tried to press but it didn't work.
9.

10.  That long left.
11.  Primera has cuts over eyes.
12.