- Billy Hardy
Infobox_Boxer
name = Billy Hardy
nationality = Flagicon|UK British
realname = William Hardy
nicknames =
weight =Bantamweight &Featherweight
birth_date =September 15 ,1964
birth_place =
home =Sunderland ,England
death_date=
death_place=
style =
total = 48
wins = 37
losses = 9
draws = 2
KO = 17
no contests = 0Billy Hardy (born
September 15 1964 inSunderland ) is a formerbantamweight andfeatherweight boxer champion. He held the British championship at bantamweight and featherweight, as well as the European and Commonwealth featherweight titles.The Billy Hardy Sports Centre, in Castletown, Sunderland bears his name.
He started boxing when he was six or seven, at the
Hylton Castle Boys Club. He was an aggressive boxer who liked to come forward and take the fight to his opponent.Being a dedicated fan of
Sunderland Football Club , Hardy normally fought wearing red and white striped shorts, the club colours.Professional career
He had his first professional fight in November 1983, beating Kevin Downer on points over six rounds at
Eltham ,Kent .British bantamweight title
He built up a record of thirteen wins and three defeats before fighting for the British bantamweight title against the holder
Ray Gilbody . The title fight was in February 1987 inSt Helens and Hardy took the title when the fight was stopped in the fourth, Gilbody having been down four times.In March 1988, he defended his British title against John Hyland in his hometown of Sunderland, knocking the challenger out in the second round.
In November 1988, he fought the Italian, Vincenzo Belcastro for the European bantamweight title. The fight was in
Paola, Italy and Hardy lost a narrow points decision after twelve rounds.In February 1989, he successfully defended his British title against Ronnie Carroll in Sunderland, winning on points.
In June 1989, he had a re-match with Belcastro for the European title. The fight was in
Pavia , Italy, and this time the decision was even closer, being declared as a draw.In October 1989, he defended his British title against Brian Holmes, in Sunderland. Hardy made short work of the challenger, knocking him out in the first round.
IBF bantamweight attempts
Hardy’s impressive record at bantamweight had put him in line for a shot at the
IBF world bantamweight title, held by the American,Orlando Canizales . The challenge was in January 1990 at theCrowtree Leisure Centre , Sunderland, and it went the full twelve rounds with Canizales retaining his title on a split decision.In November 1990, Hardy defended his British title for the third time, again against Ronnie Carroll. This time the fight was stopped in the eighth with Hardy retaining his title.
In May 1991, Hardy had a re-match with Orlando Conizares, who so narrowly defeated him the previous year. This time the fight was in Canizares’ hometown of
Laredo, Texas , and the champion won on a technical knockout in the eighth round. Hardy had also been knocked down in round three.Featherweight titles
Hardy relinquished his British bantamweight title in 1991. In October 1992, he moved up a weight, when he fought Australian, Ricky Rayner for the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title. The fight was in Sunderland, and Hardy won the title when the fight was stopped in the tenth.
In May 1993, he defended his Commonwealth title in Sunderland, against Canadian, Barrington Francis, winning on points.
In May 1994, he fought Alan McKay, a southpaw from Watford. The fight, in Sunderland, was for Hardy’s Commonwealth title and the vacant British featherweight title. The fight was stopped in the eighth with Hardy now the holder of both titles. Later in the year, Hardy relinquished the British title.
In October 1994, he defended his Commonwealth title in
Sun City ,South Africa , against local challenger Stanford Ngcebeshe. Hardy won on points over twelve rounds.In February 1995, he made a further defence, in Sunderland, against Percy Commey, of
Ghana . Hardy won by a technical knockout in the eleventh round.European title
In October 1995, Hardy challenged for the European featherweight title. He fought in
Fontenay-sous-Bois , nearParis , against the Algerian holder, Mehdi Labdouni. Hardy won on points over twelve rounds to take the title.In February 1996, he defended his Commonwealth title against English boxer, Michael Alldis, winning on points.
In June 1996, he defended his European title in
Sanremo ,Italy against Stefanno Zoff, winning on points.In February 1997, Hardy defended his European title against Welsh boxer, Steve Robinson, who had held the
WBO world featherweight title before losing it toNaseem Hamed . The fight, in Sunderland, was dominated by Hardy, and he claimed a points decision.WBO and IBF featherweight attempt
In May 1997, Hardy had his biggest fight, when he challenged for the
WBO andIBF world featherweight titles held by fellow Englishman,Naseem Hamed . The fight was held inManchester and many of Hardy’s fans travelled from Sunderland to support him. He tried to take the fight to Hamed but paid the price, when he was caught by a right-hand that broke his nose and his cheekbone. Hardy was knocked down twice, and the fight was stopped after only 93 seconds.Remaining career
In January 1998, he defended his European title against Algerian, Mehdi Labdouni at
York Hall ,Bethnal Green , winning on points to retain the title.In September 1998, Hardy had his last fight, when he defended his European and Commonwealth titles against Yorkshireman,
Paul Ingle , former holder of theIBF world featherweight title. The fight was in York, and Hardy started well, but was caught in the eighth round, and the fight was stopped.Following this defeat, Hardy retired aged thirty-four.
ee also
*
List of British featherweight boxing champions *
List of British bantamweight boxing champions References
*
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