Dennis Andries vs Jeff Harding III

Jeff Harding regained the WBC Light Heavyweight Title with a hard-fought majority-decision victory over Dennis Andries in their trilogy bout on September 11, 1991, at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The 12-round war, marked by relentless action and sheer grit, ended with scores of 115-113, 115-114, and 114-114 in Harding’s favour. The Australian improved to 21-1, while Andries dropped to 39-9-2, marking the end of his light heavyweight career.

The fight began as expected, with Andries setting a blistering pace. The defending champion came out aggressively, using his trademark roundhouse punches to keep Harding on the defensive. For the first few rounds, Andries’ power and relentless assault seemed to overwhelm Harding as he landed heavy shots that tested the Australian’s resolve.

Despite the early onslaught, Harding weathered the storm. Andries appeared to tire by the middle rounds, his punches losing their snap. Harding, known for his ability to absorb punishment and outlast opponents, began to work his way back into the fight with sharp, accurate punches on the inside. The sixth round marked a turning point, as Harding’s steady pace and cleaner shots began to wear down the older champion.

As the fight wore on, Harding’s endurance and determination became evident. Despite sustaining cuts around both eyes and significant facial bruising, the 26-year-old appeared fresher in the later rounds. Andries, widely believed to be older than his listed age of 37, struggled to keep up, his face swelling under Harding’s relentless pressure.

The final rounds were gruelling for both fighters, with neither willing to back down. Harding continued to press forward, finding openings with short combinations, while Andries summoned what energy he could to launch counterattacks. The crowd was treated to an intense battle that, remarkably, saw neither fighter hit the canvas despite the sustained punishment they absorbed.

When the final bell rang, Harding confidently raised his hand, and the judges’ scores confirmed his victory. The win allowed Harding to avenge his loss to Andries in their second meeting and reclaim the WBC Light Heavyweight Title, which he first captured in their initial encounter in 1989.
Andries, disappointed but gracious in defeat, acknowledged the closeness of the fight but refrained from committing to a fourth matchup. This bout marked the end of his career at 175 lbs, as he would later move up to the cruiserweight division.

Reflecting on the trilogy, Harding praised Andries’ toughness and fitness, calling him a “warrior” and expressing relief at reclaiming the title. The fight cemented their rivalry as one of the most brutal and memorable in light heavyweight history.