Ex-Champ Robert Easter Recovering After Suffering Gunshot Wounds in Cincinnati

Former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr tweeted from his hospital bed in Cincinnati that he was in terrible pain. The good news is that Easter is expected to make a full recovery after being shot three times in an apparent robbery. The incident happened yesterday evening (Sunday, Feb. 6) about 7 p.m. in the 1100 block of Sycamore Street.

According to a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Easter Jr told police that someone came up behind him and demanded his jewelry and that he was shot as he fled, his assailant denuding him of two gold chains, three diamond rings and his cell phone. His father and trainer, Robert Easter Sr, who wasn’t there, told a somewhat different account, saying that more than one person was involved and that his son was shot after fending them off. Easter Jr hails from Toledo, Ohio, but visited the Queen City frequently. Cincinnati’s Adrien Broner is a close friend and stablemate.

A 2012 Olympic alternate, Easter Jr won the vacant IBF lightweight title in September of 2016 with a split decision over Richard Commey and made three successful defenses before losing the belt to Mikey Garcia in July of 2018. A subsequent bid to acquire the WBA version of the lightweight title came up short when he was held to a draw by Rances Barthelemy. In February of last year, he returned to the ring after a 16-month absence and won a 10-round decision over Ryan Martin. It was his second test after moving up to 140.

Easter Jr, 31, hoped to fight again in 2021, but his career was interrupted by legal problems. In November, he pleaded No Contest to a charge that he knocked a 28-year-old woman unconscious during an altercation at a Toledo strip club. He was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to attend anger management classes.

There has been no update on Easter Jr’s condition beyond the report that he had surgery, that his wounds were not life-threatening, and that he is expected to make a full recovery. This is a developing story, so check back for updates.

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