What’s The Deal With Robert Easter Jr?
Will former IBF lightweight champion Robert “Bunny” Easter (23-1-1, 14 KO’s) ever return to the ring? February 2024, will mark three full years that the Ohioan has remained out of action. In his last tour of duty, back on February 2021, Easter took on Ryan Martin (26-2, 16KO) in a winning effort. Since that time, E-Bunny has fallen into almost complete obscurity. This is a shame considering his highly entertaining style of combat.
Easter first earned his official stripes when he deep fried the chin of Yordenis Mendez with one sizzling looping right hook back in 2016. He followed the impressive fifth round stoppage with a narrow but exciting split decision win over the heavy handed and one-time lightweight champion Richard Commey. With the hard fought spoils of war, E-Bunny took possession of the vacant IBF 135-pound title.
The all action boxer successfully defended the title three times before dropping a wide unanimous decision loss to Mikey Garcia on July 2018. In his next call to duty, like a dead rat in the wall, Easter and ring mate Rances Barthelemy stank up the place something awful. Their output was so miserly that the judges couldn’t agree on a winner and ruled the contest a draw.
HIS CAREER HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS
After the shockingly ambient boxing match, E-Bunny pasted back-to-back victories together over Martin and Andrian Granados. During his time away from the sport, he’s been shot three times in a single incident, recovered and implied that a return was imminent. Unfortunately for his fans, Easter has not committed to an official return to the ring.
Win, lose, or draw, E-Bunny has an attractive style for many hardcore and casual fans to get behind. Given the extended length of time that he’s been out of the ring, it’s almost outrageous to believe he would return to the lightweight division. In fact, through social media, Easter has even stated he would return to the sport at 140.
“Working with @roberteaster_jr on getting that strength & pop back into that cannon right hand- @sweatboxboxinggym 140lb division will have another beast to talk about in no time.”
Javiel Centeno – Sweatbox Boxing Gym
With contenders like Ritchard Hitchins, Arnold Barboza Jr, Gary Antuanne Russell, and Ryan Garcia, as well as champions Teofimo Lopez (WBO), Subriel Matias (IBF), Regis Prograis (WBC) and Rolando Romero (WBA) he has a wealth of potential super lightweight fights waiting. However, Easter must return to the ring and resume his career. But will he do so? Only time will tell, so let’s hope that we get an announcement of combat, or retirement, sooner rather than later.
