Boxing: Eastman risks all for Hopkins title fight

Howard Eastman will fight arguably the finest boxer of his generation when he meets Bernard Hopkins for the undisputed middleweight world title at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, on 19 February.

Howard Eastman will fight arguably the finest boxer of his generation when he meets Bernard Hopkins for the undisputed middleweight world title at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, on 19 February.

Eastman, 34, has relinquished his British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles during the last six months to concentrate on securing a fight against Hopkins. The World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation belts will all be decided in the ring.

Hopkins will be making his 20th defence of the title he won 10 years ago. He last fought in September when he knocked out Oscar de la Hoya in nine rounds. It is thought that Eastman will make nearly $1m (£528,000) on the night and Hopkins will clear over $3m.