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, near Paris, 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 to Naseem 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 and IBF world featherweight titles held by fellow Englishman, Naseem Hamed. The fight was held in Manchester 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