Magee and Eastman vow to never fight in Germany again
While Londoner Eastman was clearly outworked by up-and-coming Armenian Arthur Abraham in their WBA Intercontinental title fight, Belfast's Magee failed to claim the vacant European super-middleweight crown following a dubious split decision verdict against Vitali Tsypko.
In a country that is known for notorious home decisions, Magee was on the front foot from the first bell on. He looked especially impressive in the sixth and 12th rounds when he thwarted his opponent with well-timed combinations as well as several shots to the head.
Still, two judges ruled the contest in favour of unbeaten Tsypko (115-113 and 115-114).
The third judge awarded the contest to Magee (115-114).
"I don't know what more I could have done," a heartbroken Magee said after the fight. "The European title is a big one and I am very disappointed not to return home as champion.
In a somewhat awkward clash of two southpaws, Magee stamped his authority on the bout early. Both fighters kept marching forward in the first rounds, with Magee a tad more accurate on his combinations.
Things heated up in the fifth round when a bad cut opened up above Magee's right eye following an unintentional head butt. Later that round when Tsypko bombed in a crushing left, further blood poured down his face but the Belfast fighter comfortably guarded his injury in the following rounds.
His aggressive mixture of attacking and clinching should have won him points on the scorecards but not even a successful final round, when he clobbered Tsypko in a spirited late exchange, helped persuade the judges.
Asked whether he felt betrayed, Magee replied: "Yeah, but that seems to be the way it is over here. I tried to force the fight the whole way through and thought I had won clear but in the end I did not get the decision.
Eastman felt just as aggrieved as Abraham scored a unanimous and probably justified points victory following a dirty brawl.
"This is like daylight robbery," a defiant Eastman said after a 119-110, 116-112 and 115-113 verdict.
"It is ridiculous and a shame to professional fighting. The officials at ringside were watching a different fight. I really don't understand the scoring. It's like you have to be a
German to win decisions here or you have to kill the guy."
Abraham got the better of his opponent throughout the full 12 rounds, landing the more and especially the cleaner shots. To the surprise of many at ringside, Eastman somehow survived all of the Ukrainian's vicious shots to head and body.
"He is raw and strong but not in my league," Eastman said. "I want a rematch in London."
It was not before seconds out in the third round that Abraham picked up speed.
Abraham looked in complete control during the middle of the fight, although the Briton was there to connect with occasional counter punches or combinations of his own.
The Armenian dominated the last third of the fight, which saw several toe-to-toe exchanges, by continuously attacking the 34-year-old with thunderous combinations.
Eastman said after only the third loss in his career: In boxing not everything goes according to plan and this has been a very tricky situation. The judges in Germany are from a different planet."
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