NO MIDDLE GROUND: EASTMAN DETERMINED TO WIN HOPKINS READY FOR 20TH TITLE DEFENSE.

Byline: Robert Morales Staff Writer

If demeanor stands for anything, Howard Eastman would seem to have a good chance of defeating Bernard Hopkins tonight when they square off for Hopkins' undisputed middleweight championship at Staples Center.

Eastman, at Wednesday's final news conference, appeared extremely focused, as if he had one thought in which he was completely immersed. He exuded confidence, as he has through the entire promotion.

``I don't want to talk plenty,'' Eastman said, ``so come out and watch me perform.''

HBO will televise live beginning at 6:45 p.m. The first fight starts at 3:15.

Hopkins will be attempting to make his 20th successful title defense. He won the International Boxing Federation belt with a seventh-round technical knockout of Segundo Mercado on April 29, 1995. Along the way, Hopkins has added the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization belts.

Eastman (40-1, 34 KOs) says he is going to take all of them away from Hopkins. In grand fashion.

``I am going to knock Bernard Hopkins out in five rounds,'' said Eastman, a Guyana-born Englishman. ``Hopkins has never faced anyone with the power I can unleash. Hopkins has never fought anyone like me before.

``I can give a punch, and I can take a punch. I am not very easy to hit, and I can take any power punch he can hit me with.''

Hopkins (45-2-1, 32 KOs) has posted a 20-1-1 record in world title fights - the loss coming to Roy Jones Jr. for the vacant IBF middleweight title in May 1993. Eastman has had just one title fight.

That was Nov. 17, 2001. Although he performed well late in the bout, Eastman lost a majority decision to William Joppy for the vacant WBA title. Eastman has since won eight consecutive fights and is ranked in the top 10 by all four governing bodies.

Hopkins has acknowledged that Eastman won't be a pushover. During this promotion, he has referred to Eastman as a ``sleeper'' and ``a good fighter.'' His respect for Eastman aside, Hopkins has at times been rather morbid about his intent.

``I will punish him first, then I will get rid of him,'' Hopkins said. ``I will execute him like a dead horse.''

Hopkins, 40, of Philadelphia, is nicknamed ``The Executioner.'' Eastman, 34, goes by ``The Battersea Bomber,'' after his English hometown.

The monikers probably won't mean much in the ring. Eastman is solid and perhaps undaunted. Hopkins hasn't tasted defeat since his loss to Jones, nearly 12 years ago.

Although experts may not want to put him in the same class as other middleweight greats such as Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Robinson and Carlos Monzon, Hopkins has easily been the best in the division the past decade.

That claim to fame, and everything it entails, is expected to be too much for Eastman to overcome.

In Hopkins, Eastman will be trying to dethrone a fighter who knows every trick, has enough power to win and is a patient fighter.

Just look at his 12th-round technical knockout of Felix Trinidad Jr. in September 2001. Hopkins had done more than enough over the first 11 rounds and was winning the fight by five, five and nine points on the scorecards heading into the 12th and final round.

Then Hopkins' trainer, Bouie Fisher, told Hopkins to close the show. Hopkins did by dismantling a fighter most thought could not be dismantled.

Which means one thing: If Eastman does stop Hopkins inside of five rounds, he will have one heck of an accomplishment to brag about in his twilight years.

``To make a statement like that, that is him being nervous and itchy,'' Hopkins said. ``If he knocks me out in five rounds like he thinks, then he is going to make history. He is going to be the baddest man on the planet.''

Speaking of history, Hopkins is savoring the thought of joining the select company of fighters who have made at least 20 defenses, the most being 25 by heavyweight Joe Louis.

``This is very special, because history can never be erased or forgotten,'' Hopkins said. ``History will follow me to my grave. Bernard Hopkins' name will be in those history books of boxing.''

Robert Morales, [phone], Ext. 2213

robert.morales(at)sgvn.com

HOPKINS vs. EASTMAN

What: Undisputed middleweight championship fight at Staples Center

When: Undercard starts at 3:15 p.m., semi-main event at 6:45 p.m.; Hopkins-Eastman follows.

TV: HBO, 6:45 p.m.

Tickets: $50, $75, $150, $250, $350 (available at Ticketmaster or Staples Center box office.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) EASTMAN

(2) HOPKINS

(3) EASTMAN

Box:

(1) HOPKINS vs. EASTMAN (see text)

(2) TALE OF THE TAPE