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Steve Dennis
Stephen James Dennis was born in Walgett, NSW on 8 April 1953 and attended school at Kamilaroi, St Joseph's Walgett and Walgett High. During a distinguished amateur career, Steve fought 12 times for 11 wins by knockout, winning the NSW Welterweight title but losing his challenge for the Australian title on points. Turning professional Steve won the Australian Welterweight Championship in 1979 and was the Australian Middleweight Champion from 1981 to 1983.
Steve began his professional career at Redfern in 1972 and all his early fights through to 1977 were fought at venues in the Sydney area. In September 1977 he ventured to Wellington, New Zealand for a shot at the Australasian Welterweight title but was stopped on a TKO in round eight by Ali Afakasi. January 1978 saw Steve venture overseas where he again lost on a TKO in 10 rounds at Suva to Sakari Ve.
In September 1978 he challenged Ross Eadie for the State Welterweight title but was knocked out in the second round. In March 1979 Steve won the Australian Welterweight title with a TKO in round 12 over Neil Pattel in Brisbane. He defended the title in August against Eddie Buttons, but then lost the title in December, when beaten on points by Lachie Austin over 15 rounds in Melbourne.
Steve moved to Orange in 1980 and came under the guidance of astute trainer Ken Williams who arranged a very busy program with fights in Orange, Brisbane and Fiji. Steve challenged for the Australasian Middleweight title in Auckland on 3 December but lost a points decision to Monty Betham over 12 rounds. Eight days later he captured the vacant Australian title over footballer Billy Johnstone, with a TKO in round seven at Brisbane.
Steve successfully defended his title against Ricky Patterson at Darwin in 1983 and the following month lost the title to Richie Roberts over 12 rounds at Mt Pritchard. After one more fight on 17 August 1983 Steve lost to Dave Edwards with a cut eye in the third round, and he immediately announced his retirement and returned to Walgett.
His professional career was a total of 47 fights, 27 knockout wins, 9 points wins, 2 draws, 5 points losses and four KO losses.
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