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

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)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights25
Wins23
Wins by KO17
Losses2
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing  Australia
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1986 Edinburgh Middleweight

Early life and career

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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

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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

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25 fights 23 wins 2 losses
By knockout 17 1
By decision 6 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
25 Loss 23–2 Mike McCallum UD 12 23 Jul 1994 Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. Lost WBC light heavyweight title
24 Win 23–1 David Vedder UD 12 3 Dec 1992 Salle Franklin, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France Retained WBC light heavyweight title
23 Win 22–1 Christophe Tiozzo TKO 8 (12) 5 Jun 1992 Palais des Sports de Marseille, Marseille, France Retained WBC light heavyweight title
22 Win 21–1 Dennis Andries MD 12 11 Sep 1991 Odeon Cinema, Hammersmith, U.K. Won WBC light heavyweight title
21 Win 20–1 Bobby Jennings TKO 7 (10), 0:57 2 Jun 1991 Conrad Jupiters Casino, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
20 Win 19–1 David Vedder UD 10 14 Dec 1990 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
19 Win 18–1 Stacy McSwain KO 3 (10) 13 Oct 1990 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
18 Loss 17–1 Dennis Andries KO 7 (12), 2:15 28 Jul 1990 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia Lost WBC light heavyweight title
17 Win 17–0 Nestor Hipolito Giovannini TKO 11 (12), 0:56 18 Mar 1990 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBC light heavyweight title
16 Win 16–0 Tom Collins RTD 2 (12), 3:00 24 Oct 1989 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, Queensland, Australia Retained WBC light heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0 Dennis Andries TKO 12 (12), 1:23 24 Jun 1989 Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won WBC light heavyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Nestor Hipolito Giovannini UD 10 10 May 1989 Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
13 Win 13–0 Art Jimmerson UD 10 1 Mar 1989 Cardiff Workers Club, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
12 Win 12–0 Carlos Antunes Fonseca KO 9 (10) 7 Dec 1988 Seagulls Rugby League Club, Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia
11 Win 11–0 Charlie Dean Moore TKO 8 (10) 5 Sep 1988 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
10 Win 10–0 Don Vincent Lee RTD 8 (10), 3:00 18 Jul 1988 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
9 Win 9–0 Jorge Juan Salgado TKO 5 (8) 6 Jun 1988 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
8 Win 8–0 Doug Sam TKO 5 (12) 28 Apr 1988 Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney, Australia Won OPBF light heavyweight title
7 Win 7–0 Apollo Sweet UD 10 16 Mar 1988 Mount Pritchard Community Club, Sydney, Australia Won vacant New South Wales cruiserweight title
6 Win 6–0 Mosese Vilia TKO 2 (?), 1:21 11 Dec 1987 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
5 Win 5–0 Luka Joel KO 2 (10) 25 Sep 1987 Cronulla Workingmen's Club, Sydney, Australia Won Australasian light heavyweight title
4 Win 4–0 Johnny Taupau Sr. TKO 2 (10) 24 Jul 1987 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
3 Win 3–0 Materati Valu KO 2 (10) 19 Jun 1987 Blacktown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
2 Win 2–0 Emmanuel Otti TKO 5 (10) 5 Feb 1987 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
1 Win 1–0 Tommy Roberts KO 4 (10) 7 Nov 1986 Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, Australia

See also

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References

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  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.
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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