Highlights on Sunday Grandstand and on BBC Two at 2230 GMT More photos from Los Angeles Valiant Eastman falls to Hopkins

According to Eastman, Hopkins offered him another chance after the fight, although "The Executioner" is more likely to seek out bigger pay-days.

"I would like to thank Bernard Hopkins for this opportunity," Eastman said.

"Let's do it one more time - I will even the score. Then a third time. Then we can look at the other guys."

Eastman, 34, was outclassed and clearly outpointed at the Staples Center but has accused the champion of running scared.

"He ran for the whole fight, he knew he had to get away from me," said the "Battersea Bomber".

"I don't blame him for fighting that sort of fight, he did what he had to do. He was doing his job.

There is plenty of business left at middleweight. And we don't need to bring in any other guys Howard Eastman

"But a champion should box like a champion. He should come to fight like I did, not run. I came to his backyard and I was the aggressor."

Eastman said the referee stopped him from putting his pre-fight strategy into action and that he would engage Hopkins in a war if given a rematch.

"I will fight 12 hard rounds toe to toe. I couldn't stick to my game plan tonight.

"I wanted to get inside and work close, but every time I got near Hopkins the referee called for a break.

"There is plenty of business left at middleweight. And we don't need to be bringing in any other guys either.

"He doesn't have to move up to light heavyweight just yet (to fight Jamaica's Glencoffe Johnson)."

The 40-year-old Hopkins has repeatedly said he will not fight on much beyond his 41st birthday next January.

A fight against fellow American middleweight Jermain Taylor, who impressed on the undercard, would be a far bigger seller.

And Hopkins also has options of super-fights with Puerto Rico's Felix Trinidad and light middleweight king Winky Wright.