In Brief : Harding a Step Closer to Title Fight

NEWCASTLE, Australia — Unbeaten Australian light-heavyweight boxer Jeff Harding pounded out a unanimous 10-round decision over American Art Jimmerson today to move a step closer to a world title fight.

Harding, 23, upped his record to 13-0, including 11 knockouts, by dominating Jimmerson throughout the one-sided bout. The Australian scored repeatedly with left jabs and right uppercuts, but Jimmerson stayed on his feet throughout the fight.

Harding, the Orient and Pacific light-heavyweight champion, is ranked second in the super-middleweight division by the World Boxing Council and hopes to gain a world title shot later this year. American Sugar Ray Leonard holds that title.