 Eastman had previously only lost to American William Joppy and former Undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins.On 10 December 2005, in Leipzig, Germany, Abraham won the vacant IBF middleweight title against Kingsley Ikeke (23-1, 13 KOs) by a 5th round knock-out.The IBF belt had previously been vacated by undisputed champion Jermain Taylor after a bout with Abraham was denied in October that year.