Howard Eastman is on course for a third world title shot after regaining the Commonwealth middleweight mantle last Friday evening at Dudley Concert Hall.

But the Battersea Bomber admitted he looked well below-par and unconvincing during his 12-round encounter with Denmark-based Kenyan Evans Ashira, despite getting the decision from all three judges - 116-113, 116-112 and 116-113.

The vastly-experienced 36-year-old two-time world title challenger Eastman dominated the majority of the contest with his effective jabs and superior hand-speed.

Ashira, 37, who in his previous visit to this country lost to Britain's WBO world champion Joe Calzaghe in September 2005, did have his fair share of success and, in the final 30 seconds of the bout, he stunned the south Londoner with a solid left hook.

"I apologise to the fight fans as they had a right to be disappointed. It gives me room for improvement," said Eastman, who last held the Commonwealth belt back in April 2003.

"The corner won the fight for me. They guided me to the victory. It proved you need a really good team behind you."

"He Ashira was always a dangerous guy.

"I tried to frustrate him as much as possible and it was a different sort of fight from normal."

"I saw Willie Pep on film do the same thing. It was old school boxing and it enabled me to win."

Eastman adds the Commonwealth title to his British belt, which he won last December after beating fellow south Londoner and close friend Richard Williams at York Hall, Bethnal Green.