HARDING, JEFF-DENNIS ANDRIES II OFFICIAL PROGRAM (1990)

On July 28, 1990 at Rod Laver Stadium in Melbourne, Australia world light heavyweight champion Jeff Harding defended his title against Dennis Andries. Andries knocked Harding out in the 7th round to win the title. Fight was the second in the trilogy between Harding and Andries. The fight was originally scheduled for June 2nd, but was postponed due to a cut Harding suffered in his previous bout against Bobby Jennings in May. Harding entered as a 2/1 betting favorite. In attendance was Andries' stablemate Michael Moorer, the WBO Light Heavyweight Champion at the time. Andries came out and set an up-tempo pace in the opening round likely earning the round with some decent right hands. Andries continued to establish himself in Round 2 throwing power combinations early that slipped through the guard of Harding; who threw, but with less success. Andries was warned in Round 2 for a low blow. By the end of the round, Harding had already begun to develop swelling to his left eye. Both fighters worked predominantly behind a jab in Round 3 and Harding, to the cheers of the crowd, landed well both to the body and head. A left hook wobbled the legs of Harding in the round. Although it didn't put him in immediate danger of going down, it did seem to take a little gas out of him. By the end of the round, a slight cut opened under the left eye of Harding and Andries had tired some from pressing the action. Harding scored with the jab and worked the body in Round 4 as Andries threw heavy, and at times wild, power shots. A few of Andries right hands landed to the head of of Harding. Harding continued to pump the jab in Round 5 and had Andries backpedaling. He scored with some nice uppercuts and right hands in the round. Despite losing the round, Andries landed a pair of solid right hands. Both fighters exchanged in close quarters in Round 6; a round that could have been scored either way. Andries took it to Harding right from the bell in Round 7. He back Harding into the ropes with power shots and consistently snapped back his head. Harding fired back with flurries of his own. Andries landed a huge uppercut with Harding against the ropes as both fighters were visibly tiring. Three consecutive looping shots got around Harding's guard and another, almost windmilling overhead right sent Harding to the mat. He got to a knee at the count of nine, but was unable to beat the referee's count. Andries did a forward cartwheel at the count of ten. Offered here is a scarce, original, official program for this event.
This is an original, official program picturing both fighters on the cover in action from their first fight. 26 pages complete plus covers. Winners are noted on score page. Tight binding. Clean inside and out. No center crease. Small crease at lower right corner. No tears. 8 1/4" x 11 5/8."