Jeff Harding (boxer)


Jeff Harding is a retired world champion boxer from Australia, known as "Hit Man".

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.

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. 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. Harding retired after the bout. Harding was the 2004 Inductee for the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame Moderns category.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
25Loss23–2Mike McCallumUD1223 Jul 1994Bismarck 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
23Win22–1Christophe TiozzoTKO8 5 Jun 1992Palais des Sports de Marseille, Marseille, FranceRetained WBC light heavyweight title
22Win21–1Dennis Andries1211 Sep 1991Odeon Cinema, Hammersmith, U.K.Won WBC light heavyweight title
21Win20–1Bobby JenningsTKO7, 0:572 Jun 1991Conrad Jupiters Casino, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
20Win19–1David VedderUD1014 Dec 1990Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
19Win18–1Stacy McSwainKO3 13 Oct 1990Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
18Loss17–1Dennis AndriesKO7, 2:1528 Jul 1990Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, AustraliaLost WBC light heavyweight title
17Win17–0Nestor Hipolito GiovanniniTKO11, 0:5618 Mar 1990Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC light heavyweight title
16Win16–0Tom CollinsRTD2, 3:0024 Oct 1989Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, Queensland, AustraliaRetained WBC light heavyweight title
15Win15–0Dennis AndriesTKO12, 1:2324 Jun 1989Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBC light heavyweight title
14Win14–0Nestor Hipolito GiovanniniUD1010 May 1989Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
13Win13–0Art JimmersonUD101 Mar 1989Cardiff Workers Club, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
12Win12–0Carlos Antunes FonsecaKO9 7 Dec 1988Seagulls Rugby League Club, Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia
11Win11–0Charlie Dean MooreTKO8 5 Sep 1988Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
10Win10–0Don Vincent Lee8, 3:0018 Jul 1988Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
9Win9–0Jorge Juan SalgadoTKO5 6 Jun 1988Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
8Win8–0Doug SamTKO5 28 Apr 1988Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney, AustraliaWon OPBF light heavyweight title
7Win7–0Apollo Sweet1016 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 25 Sep 1987Cronulla Workingmen's Club, Sydney, AustraliaWon Australasian light heavyweight title
4Win4–0Johnny Taupau Sr.TKO2 24 Jul 1987Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
3Win3–0Materati ValuKO2 19 Jun 1987Blacktown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia
2Win2–0Emmanuel Otti5 5 Feb 1987Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
1Win1–0Tommy Roberts4 7 Nov 1986Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, Australia