Jeff Harding vs Mike McCallum

On July 23, 1994, Jeff Harding made the third defence of his WBC World Light Heavyweight Title against the seasoned Mike McCallum at the Civic Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Promoted by Don King Productions and officiated by referee Marty Denkin, the bout featured two fighters at 174 lbs, with McCallum slightly heavier at 174½ lbs. It was part of a card that included Virgil Hill defending the WBA World Light Heavyweight title against Frank Tate and Alfred Cole retaining his IBF Cruiserweight title against Nate Miller.

Harding, entering the ring with a 23-1 record, was known for his relentless pressure and high work rate. With a vastly more experienced 46-2-1 record, McCallum brought his technical precision and renowned body-punching skills into the fight. The judges—Tom Kaczmarek, Terry Smith, and Rudy Ortega—scored the contest 115-113, 116-113, and 115-114, respectively, all favouring McCallum, marking a unanimous decision victory after twelve rounds of competitive action.

Throughout the bout, McCallum showcased his ring IQ, effectively countering Harding's aggression and landing clean shots to the body and head. Harding pushed forward with characteristic determination but struggled to break through McCallum's defence and calculated combinations. The scoring reflected the close nature of the fight, though McCallum's sharpness and experience ultimately prevailed.

The victory earned McCallum the WBC World Light Heavyweight Title, further cementing his legacy as a three-division world champion. Harding, while resilient, could not overcome the skills of an opponent often regarded as one of his era's most technically proficient fighters. The event, aired on Showtime Championship Boxing in the USA and on ITV in the UK.