Jeff Harding vs Dariusz Michalczewski

Dariusz, by either late stoppage or very wide UD.

 

DM was a force and had talent, even when riding the benefit of having an early verdict changed to buoy his rep and record. Many failed (at the time) to note that DM was beating guys RJJ had previously defeated and possibly dented.

I was sorry to see that neither man (DM/RJJ) wanted to make the journey for a bout that was ripe, when HBO was stirring the pot. RJJ wanted to defend against policemen and semi-invisible foes. The Tiger was busy calling him out while having the stage set completely to his advantage with foes where there was a distinct angle.

 

DM was my fave fighter back in the day, a face first and all forward fighter, I have never seen a boring fight of his. when Sdunek took over from the hapless Talhami, he started to become more dedicated and disciplined. Had a trademark snappy jab that wasn't a mere range finder or only used to outpoint the opponent, but to bloody and bruise him and prep him up for a late round ko shot, usually by his left hook. He was always in tip top condition, his stamina would allow him to work intensily for 12 rounds, He was not the typical one-punch-KO guy but would usually wear the guy down to stop him late. His peak was from 1997 to 2000 I'd say. His only blemish being the first Rocco fight that ended in a scandal decision. He made up for it by stopping Rocco in the rematch with a shot to the liver. The brutal and bloody trench wars he was involved in later in his career - most notably the Hall fights - took a lot out of him and by the time he got koed by tiozzo he was shot. DM simply took too many punches in that period of time. In his long career he delivered a few picture book KOs like the ones against prince, Piper and lacatus that are well worth remembering.

 

DM. Harding wasn't anything more than a try hard top ten type in his day.