DENNIS Andries secured his 11th professional victory when he TKOed Chris Lawson on June 18, 1980 at the Adulte Ballroom in Staffordshire, England. Referee Paul Thomas halted the bout at one minute 14 seconds of the eighth and final round. Andries was coming off back-to-back defeats, having lost to Mustafa Wasajja and Bunny Johnson in April and February respectively. He turned pro in 1978 and became the European light heavyweight champion, the World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion and later the Commonwealth cruiserweight champion.
The Guyanese won the WBC title following a split decision victory over J. B. Williamson on April 30, 1986 and made one successful defence before meeting the feared Thomas `Hitman’ Hearns in March 1987.
Hearns came out blazing and was able to snatch the crown via a 10th round TKO. However, Andries bounced back and was again named WBC champion when he TKOed Tony Willis on February 21, 1989 to take the vacant title.
Andries comes from a group of fighters, who, though born in Guyana, never fought professionally in their homeland. The group includes Adrian Dodson, Vivian Harris, Steve Frank, Cleveland Denny, Egerton Marcus and Tony Marshall.
He had his last fight on December 14, 1996 and left with a record of 49 victories (30 KOs), 14 defeats and two draws. He will turn 62 in November.