Boxing: Eastman defence marred by farce

Howard Eastman will meet either a Frenchman, a Russian or a Spaniard for his old European middleweight title at the Nottingham Arena on 28 January after the bizarre withdrawal of Erland Betare.

On Wednesday Eastman's promoter Mick Hennessy made a courtesy call to the Frenchman's handlers to confirm flights and hotels but his inquiries were greeted with amazement. The boxer had no knowledge of the fight, was not in the gym, was injured and would clearly not be coming to Nottingham for a fight that the BBC planned to screen live.

Hennessy immediately contacted the European Boxing Union, which instantly sanctioned the three other fighters for the new date. The new opponent will be named later today. Hennessy said: "It makes no difference who is in the opposite corner because right now Howard is the best middleweight in the world.''