Jeff Harding (boxer)

Last updated

Jeff Harding
Born (1965-02-05) 5 February 1965 (age 59)
Sydney, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Other namesHit Man
Statistics
Weight(s) Light heavyweight
Height5 ft 11+12 in (182 cm)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights25
Wins23
Wins by KO17
Losses2
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1986 Edinburgh Middleweight

Jeff Harding (born 5 February 1965 in Sydney) is a retired world champion boxer from Australia, known as "Hit Man".

Contents

Early life and career

Harding lived in South Grafton N.S.W. Australia and was a student at South Grafton High School. He trained with Steve Cansdell in Grafton before relocating to Sydney where he was first trained by John Lewis at the Newtown Police Boys' Club from where he won his first amateur title (NSW State).

Professional career

Harding a rugged come forward type fighter turned professional in 1986 and in 1989 won the WBC Light Heavyweight Title with a 12th-round TKO over Dennis Andries in only his 15th professional fight with Johnny Lewis in his corner. [1] He had taken the fight with only three weeks notice. He defended the title twice before losing the belt via KO in 1990 in a rematch with Andries. In 1991 he recaptured the WBC Light Heavyweight Title by taking a majority decision over Andries in their third match. He defended the belt twice before losing the title in 1994 to Mike McCallum by unanimous decision. [2] Harding retired after the bout. Harding was the 2004 Inductee for the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame Moderns category.

Professional boxing record

25 fights23 wins2 losses
By knockout171
By decision61
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
25Loss23–2 Mike McCallum UD1223 Jul 1994 Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Lost WBC light heavyweight title
24Win23–1David VedderUD123 Dec 1992Salle Franklin, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, FranceRetained WBC light heavyweight title
23Win22–1 Christophe Tiozzo TKO8 (12)5 Jun 1992 Palais des Sports de Marseille, Marseille, FranceRetained WBC light heavyweight title
22Win21–1 Dennis Andries MD1211 Sep 1991Odeon Cinema, Hammersmith, U.K.Won WBC light heavyweight title
21Win20–1Bobby JenningsTKO7 (10), 0:572 Jun 1991 Conrad Jupiters Casino, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
20Win19–1David VedderUD1014 Dec 1990Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
19Win18–1Stacy McSwainKO3 (10)13 Oct 1990Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
18Loss17–1 Dennis Andries KO7 (12), 2:1528 Jul 1990 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, AustraliaLost WBC light heavyweight title
17Win17–0 Nestor Hipolito Giovannini TKO11 (12), 0:5618 Mar 1990 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC light heavyweight title
16Win16–0 Tom Collins RTD2 (12), 3:0024 Oct 1989 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, Queensland, AustraliaRetained WBC light heavyweight title
15Win15–0 Dennis Andries TKO12 (12), 1:2324 Jun 1989 Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBC light heavyweight title
14Win14–0 Nestor Hipolito Giovannini UD1010 May 1989 Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
13Win13–0 Art Jimmerson UD101 Mar 1989Cardiff Workers Club, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
12Win12–0 Carlos Antunes Fonseca KO9 (10)7 Dec 1988Seagulls Rugby League Club, Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia
11Win11–0Charlie Dean MooreTKO8 (10)5 Sep 1988Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
10Win10–0Don Vincent LeeRTD8 (10), 3:0018 Jul 1988Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
9Win9–0Jorge Juan SalgadoTKO5 (8)6 Jun 1988Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
8Win8–0 Doug Sam TKO5 (12)28 Apr 1988 Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney, AustraliaWon OPBF light heavyweight title
7Win7–0 Apollo Sweet UD1016 Mar 1988Mount Pritchard Community Club, Sydney, AustraliaWon vacant New South Wales cruiserweight title
6Win6–0Mosese ViliaTKO2 (?), 1:2111 Dec 1987Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
5Win5–0Luka JoelKO2 (10)25 Sep 1987Cronulla Workingmen's Club, Sydney, AustraliaWon Australasian light heavyweight title
4Win4–0Johnny Taupau Sr.TKO2 (10)24 Jul 1987 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
3Win3–0Materati ValuKO2 (10)19 Jun 1987Blacktown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
2Win2–0Emmanuel OttiTKO5 (10)5 Feb 1987 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
1Win1–0Tommy RobertsKO4 (10)7 Nov 1986Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, Australia

See also

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References

  1. "Jeff Harding became the first Australian light heavyweight champion..." United Press International. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  2. "Hill Beats Tate; McCallum Wins". Los Angeles Times. 24 July 1994. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by OPBF light heavyweight champion
28 April 1988 – 24 June 1989
Won world title
Vacant
Title next held by
Byung Yung Min
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC light heavyweight champion
24 June 1989 – 28 July 1990
Succeeded by
Dennis Andries
WBC light heavyweight champion
11 September 1991 – 23 July 1994
Succeeded by