Robert Easter Shot, Hospitalized After Robbery
Former IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr was shot three times after he was robbed Sunday night.
Easter underwent surgery at a Cincinnati hospital and remains hospitalized. His father, Robert Easter Sr., confirmed the news with WTOL 11 Monday morning.
The 31-year-old boxer shared a brief update on Twitter early Monday morning.
“I’m in so much pain.”
Im in so much pain
— Bunny 🐰 (@RobertEaster_Jr) February 7, 2022
According to WTOL 11, around 6:30 p.m. an unknown suspect confronted Easter from behind and told him “give me those,” referring to his jewelry. Easter tried to escape and was shot multiple times.
The suspect reportedly robbed two gold chains, three diamond rings and Easter’s cell phone.
Easter won the IBF belt in 20166 with a split decision victory over Richard Commey. He went on to make three successful defenses, but lost the belt to Mikey Garcia via unanimous decision in a 2018 unification bout.
Easter was last in action in February of 2021 and defeated Ryan Martin by unanimous decision.
The boxer is expected to survive, according to WTOL 11.