Ben Dirs BBC Sport

BBC 1 will show highlights of Eastman's fight against Tatevosyan (2335 GMT)

The 33-year-old is being lined up to fight Italy's Cristian Sanavia in April, with the winner facing champion Bernard Hopkins later in the year.

If Hopkins decides to relinquish his middleweight belts and step up a weight, the fight with Sanavia could be for the WBC title itself.

"The WBC have formally ordered a final eliminator between Howard and Sanavia," explained promoter Mick Hennessy.

"I am already in discussions with Sanavia's representatives and the fight looks like it will take place in early April.

"WBC president Jose Sulaiman has assured me Hopkins will be instructed to defend against the winner of that contest within 120 days."

Eastman outpoints Tatevosyan

Eastman beat Russian Sergey Tatevosyan at Dagenham's Goresbrook Leisure Centre on Friday night.

But the 'Battersea Bomber' is refusing to look to far into the future.

The world number one middleweight is British and given the opportunity I'm going to prove it Howard Eastman

"I don't like to plan any more, I take each day as it comes," Eastman told BBC Sport.

"The world number one middleweight is British and given the opportunity I'm going to prove it.

"But I've been in this game long enough not to get too excited.

"I'm hoping the fight against Sanavia will happen in April, but let's take care of tomorrow night first.

"I'm expecting a lot of danger, a lot of fireworks, but I'm looking for a win inside the distance."