DENNIS ANDRIES w ko 7 JEFF HARDING
July 28, 1990; Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
DENNIS ANDRIES blamed a torrid struggle to make weight for the first battle with Jeff Harding for losing his WBC light-heavyweight title to the Aussie the year before. Andries’ trainer, Emanuel Steward, blamed himself. He had left Andries so he could focus on Thomas Hearns’ rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard but promised to make amends to the Brit. Andries, like in their first bout, started quickly but seemed to tire. After six rounds, Harding looked like he was getting on top. Andries gambled, emptied his tank in the seventh, cut Harding before knocking him out with a vicious right.
DID YOU KNOW? Turns out it was Harding who messed up the weight-making process this time. He refused to let anyone see him train in the final days of his camp so he could avoid news reaching Team Andries about his weakened state.
WATCH OUT FOR: The barroom brawl style right hand that windmilled into a beleaguered Harding in the seventh round and dropped him for the full count.
