Eastman finished off good friend Williams in the final round

The "Battersea Bomber" ended a three-fight losing streak when he felled Williams with just 54 seconds remaining at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

All three judges had the 36-year-old Eastman ahead at the time, by scores of 109-101, 108-102 and 107-103.

Eastman, eyeing a third chance to become world middleweight champion, gave up the British title in 2003.

He was controversially out-pointed by William Joppy in his first world title bid and had lost his last three bouts - a second world title challenge to Bernard Hopkins, and final eliminators against Germany's Arthur Abraham and Brazilian Edison Miranda.

A lot of the time I enjoyed it, but I never saw that punch coming at the end Richard Williams

Eastman and Stockwell's 35-year-old former Commonwealth and IBO light-middleweight champion Williams, have been friends for 20 years.

"It's extremely difficult to fight a friend, but we are all old school here," said Eastman. "I'm glad that Richard is okay.

"We got the win we came for. I was never negative; he made me fight like that.

"I was just pacing myself, and the difference between us was just my experience."

Williams said: "I felt good, and my punches were flowing, but Howard has fought in much higher class than me, and it showed in the end.

"It's my first ever fight anywhere near Howard's level. A lot of the time I enjoyed it, but I never saw that punch coming at the end."