By Jeff Sorby: Former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. is recovering from surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio on Monday after being shot 3 times and robbed on Sunday night. The bullets have been removed, and it’s believed that he’ll recover.
Easter Jr. was robbed of three diamond rings, his cellphone two gold chains. It’s unclear if the gold chins were the weighty expensive type that sometimes invites trouble.
WTOL 11 is reporting that the 31-year-old Easter Jr. (23-1-1, 14 KOs) came up against grout of attackers on Sunday evening, asking him for money on Sycamore Street in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Earlier last fought in February of 2021, defeating Ryan Martin by a one-sided 12 round unanimous decision in Uncasville, Connecticut. Easter Jr. hasn’t fought since and he had no fights scheduled in 2022.
Since losing his IBF 135-lb title to Mikey Garcia in July 2018, Easter Jr’s career has slowed down, with him fighting to a 12 round draw against Rances Barthelemy in early 2019, and then beating journeyman Adrian Granados by a one-sided 10 round unanimous decision at light welterweight in October 2019.
“His father, Robert Easter Sr., confirmed the news to WTOL 11 Monday morning. He said the former IBF lightweight champion was shot three times after he was confronted about 6:30 p.m. by a group of men who demanded money,” reports WTOL.
“Cincinnati police said the incident happened in the 1100 block of Sycamore Street. Easter Jr. told investigators an unknown suspect approached him behind and said “Give me those,” referring to pieces of jewelry. Easter ran and was shot multiple times.”
“Easter is in surgery to remove bullet fragments, but is expected to survive.”
It’s unknown if the injuries will prevent Easter Jr. from resuming his career or if he had planned on coming back. It would be a shame if Easter Jr. is unable to come back from the shooting because he’s been impressive in the past.
Fighting at 140 is tough on 5’11″Easter Jr, as he’s not a huge puncher and the big size advantage that he had when fighting at 135 isn’t as pronounced now that he’s competing at 140.
In September 2016, Easter Jr. captured the vacant IBF 135-lb title with a 12 round split decision win over Richard Commey. Easter J. had to get up off the deck in the eighth round to get the victory over the heavy-handed Commey.
From there, Easter Jr. successfully defended his IBF lightweight title three times, beating Javier Fortuna, Luis Cruz, and Denis Shafikov before losing the strap against Mikey Garcia in July 2018.
