Dennis Andries

Gutsy fighter with a decent punch and was always good value.

Benefited from a weak division though..He would have likely only been a fringe contender in the 70's-early 80's.

 

Andries wasn't considered too impressive or highly regarded when he first won the title, but he appeared to improve his skill and technique over time. He showed improved boxing ability against Tony Sibson in his first defense of his title, but whatever progress he might've been making came to a temporary halt when he completely fell apart against Hearns. He switched trainers (to Manny Steward, I believe), and a win over Bobby Czyz put him back on track. Unfortunately, by the time he reached the full fruition of his skills, I think he was too old to fully capitalize on them. He generally looked like the classier and more skilled fighter in his three fights with Jeff Harding, but his stamina kept letting him down. Even so, I did think he was robbed in the third fight with Harding.

 

Not the most skilled of boxers,but always good to watch. Very gutsy fighter. Nice man too,by all accounts.

 

Sounds right. Came along after the great era of lightheavy s were winding down.
But I liked to watch him, he was akward but tough.
Put up a good, losing battle with Hearns, loved his trio of fights with Harding.
Tho I do think he was robbed in the last one.

 

Hi Fergy. Yes I also think that the third fight with Harding should have gone his way. Andries faded a bit down the stretch but he'd banked enough points earlier on to earn decision. A trilogy of fights when the winner was the betting underdog in all three.

 

Too right, mate. Intresting that pal, about the winner being the under dog in the series.
Both guys were limited in ways but really enjoyed their fights.

 

Dennis was basically a crude unskilled brawler the first half of his career, game as they come but extremely limited even up to when he won a belt.
After being battered by Hearns if I remember rightly it was then he signed up with Steward he got his head down and improved himself under Manny’s tutelage greatly.
His attitude in the ring and in the gym was just to make himself better and he achieved that looking a good well schooled operator after that.

 

I think that the underdog thing also applied with Zale-Graziano trilogy.

 

I bet that most,if not all of you,recall hearing the story of Frank Bruno being virtually mobbed by fans coming through Heathrow after his gallant losing battle with Mike Tyson,then Dennis who had just regained the Lt.Heavy crown slipping through quietly around the same time.

 

Really? Who was the favourite in the rematch with Floyd and Ingo, Stevie, do you know?

 

Good to see Dennis Andries getting a mention. A determined, courageous and hard-working man who always gave it his all. . That after losing to Hearns he moved to the States and went to the Kronk gym tells you what kind of person he is. A shame that he did not seem to get the attention and respect he deserved.

 

Crazy isn’t it.