Robert Easter Jr. is expected to survive and fully recover after being hospitalized for multiple gunshot wounds.

The former IBF lightweight titlist is currently undergoing surgery at a Cincinnati hospital, according to WTOL 11 network in Easter’s hometown of Toledo, Ohio. Easter was reportedly shot three times after a group of men approached the boxer demanding money and jewelry at gunpoint.

News of the incident was confirmed to WTOL 11 on Monday by Easter’s father and co-trainer, Robert Sr.

According to an incident report—a copy of which was obtained by BoxingScene.com—the robbery and shooting took place on the 1100 block of Sycamore Street. Easter was approached from behind by an unidentified perpetrator who said "Give me those" referring to the boxer's jewelry.

Easter ran, only to be shot and hit at least three times. According to the report, the suspects stole Easter's gold chains, rings and cell phone before fleeing the scene. 

As of Monday evening, Easter was recovering from surgery to remove bullet fragments. 

Easter was currently in training with hopes of returning to the ring in the first quarter of 2022. A date was yet to be attached to his next fight, although such plans are obviously on hold as he will first have to recover from surgery to have bullet shell fragments removed after surviving the robbery attempt.

Easter (23-1-1, 14KOs) has not fought in the ring since last February 20, claiming a ten-round unanimous decision win over Ryan Martin on Showtime from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The fight came on the undercard of longtime friend and training stablemate Adrien Broner who outpointed Jovanie Santiago in the 12-round main event.

The hope following the win over Martin was to get at least one more fight in 2021. Easter was instead forced to ride out a legal case where he pleaded No Contest on one count of simple assault from an incident at a strip club last summer in Toledo. Easter allegedly struck “the victim on the left side of her face once with a closed fist, causing the victim to lose consciousness.” The victim was observed by the officer with whom the report was filed to have a split lip and a chipped tooth.

Varying witness statements provided conflicting takes on the sequence of events, including claims that the victim antagonized Easter prior to the boxer allegedly striking her. Easter initially entered a plea of Not Guilty before being encouraged to change to No Contest in lieu of proceeding to trial. Easter was issued a two-year probation sentence and mandated to attend and complete a court-approved anger management program.   

The aforementioned win over Martin extended a current three-fight unbeaten streak for Easter since losing his IBF lightweight title to then-unbeaten WBC titlist Mikey Garcia in their July 2018 unification bout. The loss ended a near two-year reign dating back to his September 2016 split decision win over then-undefeated Richard Commey to earn the vacant title.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox