Boxing: Southpaw stands in the way of Eastman

Howard Eastman has been a patient man since he turned professional back in 1994 and tonight he will need all of his acquired ring wisdom to beat Scott Dann and retain his British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles at the Nottingham Ice Arena.

Eastman has only recently become a glamour fighter in a business that treats harshly boxers who are considered awkward, but is often far too kind to marketable but less talented fighters.

At 32, Eastman is at his peak and is one of the best middleweights in the world. "I have to just stay calm and have faith that I'll get my chance again," he said.

Dann, 28, is a brave southpaw with just one defeat from 15 fights and he thoroughly deserves his chance this evening. But it would be an enormous shock if he lasted past round five. Eastman is simply too good at this domestic level.