Miranda earns a spot on the world stage, stops Eastman
By JE Grant
HOLLYWOOD, FLA. --- Colombian Edison Miranda, 26-0 (23 KOs), 159, scored by far the biggest win of his suddenly red hot career, by stopping veteran Howard Eastman, 40-4 (34 KOs), England, 159, in 7 rounds of a scheduled 12.
The power-hitting Miranda met his first world-class opponent in Eastman who figured to test his mettle over the long haul.
Eastman, never stopped in his previous 43 bouts, started very slowly, circling Miranda in the opening frame but throwing almost nothing. Miranda opened big, throwing hard shots but missing often.
In round two the action picked up slightly with the wily Eastman coming alive. Miranda continued to press and outworked the two-time title challenger.
Eastman began to land with authority on the charging Miranda in round three. As Miranda dropped his left, Eastman deftly placed right hands and, using his vast boxing experience, allowed his opponent to fall into traps making him pay with sharp counters.
Miranda again outworked Eastman in round four setting the stage for a near knockdown in round five. A stunning right hand over the top of Eastman’s pawing left jab buckled his knees and exposed him to several more hard shots.
As he slipped behind in the scoring, Eastman pulled out some tricks in round six with well placed right hands that made Miranda wobbly. A right at the end of the round came very close to dropping the Colombian as Eastman seemingly found his range and began to take charge of the contest.
It was not to be. Miranda, ever the confident hitter, chased Eastman throughout round seven landing hurting right hands and left hooks despite the fact that many of his punches did not land flush.
A punishing left hook drove Eastman to the corner and Miranda powered home a follow-up right hand. Miranda continued to press the attack and, although Eastman had his hands up and seemed fully aware of his surroundings, referee Brian Gary stepped in at 2:33 of the round to award the fight to Miranda.
It was clear that Eastman had been staggered but the bout was stopped earlier than one would have expected given that the fight was ostensibly a world title eliminator.
Nevertheless, Miranda proved himself strong and resourceful despite having a frustrating and cagey opponent in front of him. He also battled back well after clearly being hurt twice in the round prior to the stoppage.
JEBoxing had the bout 58-56 after six rounds for Miranda.
As the winner, Miranda is supposedly next in line to face belt-holder Arthur Abraham. Obviously the division’s true champion is Jermain Taylor, but Abraham is well regarded by most boxing observers and is justifiably a top five middleweight.
HOLLYWOOD, FLA. --- Colombian Edison Miranda, 26-0 (23 KOs), 159, scored by far the biggest win of his suddenly red hot career, by stopping veteran Howard Eastman, 40-4 (34 KOs), England, 159, in 7 rounds of a scheduled 12.
The power-hitting Miranda met his first world-class opponent in Eastman who figured to test his mettle over the long haul.
Eastman, never stopped in his previous 43 bouts, started very slowly, circling Miranda in the opening frame but throwing almost nothing. Miranda opened big, throwing hard shots but missing often.
In round two the action picked up slightly with the wily Eastman coming alive. Miranda continued to press and outworked the two-time title challenger.
Eastman began to land with authority on the charging Miranda in round three. As Miranda dropped his left, Eastman deftly placed right hands and, using his vast boxing experience, allowed his opponent to fall into traps making him pay with sharp counters.
Miranda again outworked Eastman in round four setting the stage for a near knockdown in round five. A stunning right hand over the top of Eastman’s pawing left jab buckled his knees and exposed him to several more hard shots.
As he slipped behind in the scoring, Eastman pulled out some tricks in round six with well placed right hands that made Miranda wobbly. A right at the end of the round came very close to dropping the Colombian as Eastman seemingly found his range and began to take charge of the contest.
It was not to be. Miranda, ever the confident hitter, chased Eastman throughout round seven landing hurting right hands and left hooks despite the fact that many of his punches did not land flush.
A punishing left hook drove Eastman to the corner and Miranda powered home a follow-up right hand. Miranda continued to press the attack and, although Eastman had his hands up and seemed fully aware of his surroundings, referee Brian Gary stepped in at 2:33 of the round to award the fight to Miranda.
It was clear that Eastman had been staggered but the bout was stopped earlier than one would have expected given that the fight was ostensibly a world title eliminator.
Nevertheless, Miranda proved himself strong and resourceful despite having a frustrating and cagey opponent in front of him. He also battled back well after clearly being hurt twice in the round prior to the stoppage.
JEBoxing had the bout 58-56 after six rounds for Miranda.
As the winner, Miranda is supposedly next in line to face belt-holder Arthur Abraham. Obviously the division’s true champion is Jermain Taylor, but Abraham is well regarded by most boxing observers and is justifiably a top five middleweight.
posted by JE Boxing at Friday, March 24, 2006
8 Comments:
Excellent read and a very interesting and exciting fight JE.This was my first time in seeing Miranda,and I thought he may be totally outclassed and in way over his head.Not so.He certainly has some room for improvement,but it was a very impressive win over a legit top-10 opponent,and one that had never been stopped.Kudos to Miranda.He showed some real mettle and worth by coming back from adversity in this fight.I still think he has a ways to go-and am a bit hesitant to put him in with legit top-5 competion right away-but wat the hell;he is legit top-10 material himself right now,so I guess that would be the next logical step!And he appears to have a definite 'equalizer' and 'ace-in-the-hole' with his big right hand!
All in all--I was pleasantly surprised.
BTW-In regards to the stoppage-and what was at stake-I thought it was a bit 'borderline',but 'okay'.
The first time I saw Miranda he crushed a much lesser opponent. His overall strength is for real. I think he rough edges may actually work to his benefit. He punches at odd angles and hits with authority with both hands. I'm impressed. I'll be interested to see if Abraham's people take the fight.
I hope he does JE.And Miranda is certainly deserving.That being said--I think Abraham would beat him,and probably by ko/tko.But a VERY intriguing fight nevertheless.
Not if he elects to punch with him!!!!
Emm...I don't know JE.That may in fact (possibly) be Miranda's downfall against Abraham.Abraham can punch as well!And Miranda may or may not have the best chin.Arthur is also more fundamentally sound IMO JE.I would give Miranda a chance,and I wouldn't make Arthur an overwhelming favorite,but I would make him a clear and decisive one nonetheless.
I agree that Abraham has good fundamentals but I'm not so sure he his a big banger. I like the excitement Miranda brings with him but he is far less experienced than his 26-0 record would suggest. He has so many early round KOs that he needs more building fights to complete his maturation. He's on the right track with Eastman-type fights.
Well JE,I wouldn't call Abraham a HUGE banger,but he's strong and has pretty good power I believe.And Eastman (Who I think you could say likewise about) did have him (Miranda) briefly stunned.I to like Miranda's fiery attitude as well though.I just get the feeling that Abraham is just too fundamentally sound for him.And Abraham is at or near his peak,whereas Eastman wasn't.But it's an interesting fight,and hey--why not? Miranda is definetly a legit top-10 guy right now.
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