Heather Hardy

Last updated

Heather Hardy
Born (1982-01-25) January 25, 1982 (age 42)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Other namesThe Heat
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight122 lb (55 kg; 8.7 st)
Division
Reach64 in (163 cm)
Style Boxing, Kickboxing
Stance Orthodox
Team Renzo Gracie Academy (2017–2019) [1]
Serra-Longo Fight Team (2019–present) [1]
Years activeMixed Martial Arts: 2017–present
Boxing: 2010–present
Professional boxing record
Total26
Wins22
By knockout4
Losses3
No contests1
Mixed martial arts record
Total4
Wins2
By knockout1
By decision1
Losses2
By knockout2
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Heather Hardy (born January 25, 1982) is a former American professional boxer and mixed martial artist. In boxing, she held the WBO featherweight title from 2018 to 2019. She is also a trainer, living and working in Brooklyn, New York. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Early life and family

Heather Hardy was born on January 25, 1982, to John and Linda Hardy [5] and is of Irish descent. [6] [7] She has two younger siblings, Kaitlyn and Colin. Hardy had married her highschool sweetheart in 2004, but after some hard times the pair divorced in 2010. [8] [4] [9] Hardy was raised in Gerritsen Beach in South Brooklyn.

While in school, Hardy was active in athletics, aspiring to become the first female pitcher for the New York Yankees. Hardy went on to major in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. [3] She graduated at the age of 22.

Boxing career

Heather started boxing in 2010 when she was going through a rough patch in her life: she was working a series of miscellaneous jobs to support her daughter, sister, and nephew and finalizing a divorce with her husband who would not pay child support. Within three weeks of training, Hardy, a 28 year old rookie, had her first fight in front of an average sized audience in Long Island, and won. Even though her first fight was just meant for fun, it helped her find out that boxing was her calling. [10] Regarding her first time in the ring, Hardy said "I'm shy by nature, so walking to the ring was like heading to the gas chamber. I'm probably exaggerating the crowd size, but it felt like I was in the Macy's Parade. When I got to my corner, a cousin told me to pretend a tiger was dropped in the ring and only one of us was getting out alive. I pummeled that girl so bad. And for the first time in my life, I felt like something was all mine. Ever since, I've had the passion to beat up the world. I still fight that way". Shortly after, she quickly began winning other kickboxing and Muay Thai titles. [11] Her determination and passion were soon noticed when she caught the eye of a professional trainer who offered to let her train at Gleason's Gym. Hardy began to grow in popularity on the boxing scene and soon became known for her tenacity and determination in and out of the ring. In regards to what others thought about her fame, she mockingly said "'Yeah right, who's this little blonde white girl with the braids?' They knew me quick because I started tearin' ass". Despite her newfound popularity, Hardy remains humble; she can still be found selling tickets before her fights and training clients at Gleason's. [11] In 2016, Hardy made major strides for women's boxing by landing a televised gig on NBCSN against Shelly Vincent. [12]

Serrano vs Hardy

Hardy challenged Amanda Serrano for the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring female featherweight world titles in the co-main event of Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz on August 5, 2023. Hardy lost the fight by unanimous decision. [13]

Mixed martial arts career

Invicta Fighting Championship

Hardy was scheduled to make her professional MMA debut against Brieta Carpenter at Invicta FC 21. However, the bout was cancelled due to an injury by Carpenter. [14]

Bellator MMA

Hardy made her professional MMA debut at Bellator 180 in a flyweight bout against Alice Yauger on June 24, 2017, at the Madison Square Garden. [15] She won the fight via TKO in the third round. [16]

Hardy faced Kristina Williams in a flyweight contest at Bellator 185. [17] She lost the bout via TKO due to a doctor stoppage in the second round after a head kick from Williams shattered her nose. [18]

Hardy faced Ana Julaton on February 16, 2018, at Bellator 194. [19] She won the fight via unanimous decision. [20]

Hardy faced Taylor Turner at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019. She lost the fight via first round TKO. [21]

On July 10, 2021, it was announced that she was no longer under contract with Bellator. [22]

Bare-knuckle boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Hardy was scheduled to make her debut against BKFC Women's Flyweight Champion Christine Ferea in a bantamweight bout at BKFC 61's main event on May 11, 2024. [23] However, due to an injury, the bout was scrapped. [24]

Via an Instagram post in May 2024, Hardy revealed that she pulled out of the scheduled bout because she had "too much brain damage" implying that her career was likely over. [25]

In the media

Following her rise to fame, Hardy has been a persistent voice for women's boxing. In 2013, shortly after women's boxing was declared as a featured sport in the 2012 London Olympics, an independent film director named Natasha Verma tackled the subject of the gender wage gap in boxing through her film "Hardy". [26] She interviewed Hardy on her experiences and talked about how she was changing the face of a generally male dominated sport. [26]

In 2016, Hardy partnered with Dove on their #MyBeautyMySay campaign. [27] [28]

Professional boxing record

28 fights24 wins3 losses
By knockout40
By decision203
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
28Loss24–3 (1) Amanda Serrano UD10 Aug 5, 2023 American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S.For WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring female featherweight titles
27Win24–2 (1)Taynna CardosoMD6Feb 23, 2023Sony Hall, New York City, New York, U.S.
26Win23–2 (1)Calista SilgadoUD6Oct 13, 2022Sony Hall, New York City, New York, U.S.
25Loss22–2 (1) Jessica Camara UD8May 14, 2021Embassy Suites Nashville SE, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S.
24Loss22–1 (1) Amanda Serrano UD10Sep 13, 2019Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost WBO female featherweight title;
For vacant WBAN and WBC interim female featherweight title
23Win22–0 (1)Shelly VincentUD10Oct 27, 2018Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant WBO female featherweight title
22Win21–0 (1)Iranda Paola TorresUD8Apr 21, 2018Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.Won NABF female featherweight title
21Win20–0 (1)Edina KissUD8May 18, 2017Paramount Theater, Huntington, New York, U.S.Retained WBC International female featherweight title
20Win19–0 (1)Edina KissUD8Mar 4, 2017Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBC International female featherweight title
19Win18–0 (1)Shelly VincentMD10Aug 21, 2016Ford Amphitheater, Coney Island, New York, U.S.Retained WBC International female featherweight title
18Win17–0 (1)Kirstie SimmonsUD8Jun 25, 2016Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Win16–0 (1)Anna Donatella HultinTKO4 (8) 0:48Apr 16, 2016Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
16Win15–0 (1)Noemi BosquesUD8Dec 5, 2015Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
15Win14–0 (1)Renáta DömsödiRTD6 (10), 2:00Aug 1, 2015Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBC International female super bantamweight title
14Win13–0 (1)Noemi BosquesSD8May 29, 2015Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
13NC12–0 (1)Renáta DömsödiNC3 (8), 1:57Apr 11, 2015Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBC International female super bantamweight title
12Win12–0Elizabeth AndersonUD10Dec 13, 2014BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S.
11Win11–0Crystal HoyMD10Oct 15, 2014BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant WBC International female super bantamweight title
10Win10–0Jackie TrivilinoTD7 (8)Jun 14, 2014Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
9Win9–0Nydia FelicianoUD8Mar 21, 2014Aviator Sports Complex, New York City, New York, U.S.
8Win8–0Christina FuentesSD8Feb 12, 2014Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
7Win7–0Ana Laura GomezTKO2 (10) 1:44Nov 9, 2013Aviator Sports Complex, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant UBF International super bantamweight title
6Win6–0Cassie TrostTKO4 (6) 1:30Jul 24, 2013Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
5Win5–0Mikayla NebelUD6Apr 4, 2013Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
4Win4–0Peggy MaerzUD4Jan 23, 2013BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S.
3Win3–0Ivana ColemanUD4Dec 8, 2012Resorts World Casino, New York City, New York, U.S.
2Win2–0Unique HarrisUD4Oct 24, 2012Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
1Win1–0Mikayla NebelUD4Aug 2, 2012Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
4 matches2 wins2 losses
By knockout12
By decision10
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss2–2Taylor TurnerTKO (punches) Bellator 222 June 14, 201913:53 New York City, New York, United StatesCatchweight (128 lbs) bout.
Win2–1 Ana Julaton Decision (unanimous) Bellator 194 February 16, 201835:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss1–1Kristina WilliamsTKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 185 October 20, 201722:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win1–0Alice YaugerTKO (punches) Bellator 180 June 24, 201734:47 New York City, New York, United States

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References

  1. 1 2 Dave Doyle (June 12, 2019). "Heather Hardy discusses death threats after last Bellator fight, gym change to Serra-Longo". mmajunkie.com.
  2. ↑ "Superstorm Sandy Brings One Family Closer". NPR.org. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Meet Heather "The Heat" Hardy: Pro Boxer and Single Mom" . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Why You Should Root For Rising Boxing Star Heather Hardy" . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Heather Hardy Doesn't Back Down from Any Fight | VICE Sports" . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Heather Hardy Doesn't Back Down from Any Fight". Fightland.
  7. ↑ "I'm a Fighter". ESPN.
  8. ↑ "Brooklyn Boxer Rises, but Her Feet Stay on the Ground". The New York Times. April 4, 2014.
  9. ↑ PBS Indies (May 5, 2014), The Heat , retrieved August 25, 2016
  10. ↑ New York Daily News (June 9, 2014), Heather "The Heat" Hardy , retrieved August 25, 2016
  11. 1 2 "Heather Hardy's long struggle for women's boxing finally pays off with TV bout". Boxingjunkie. August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  12. ↑ "espnw - Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent bring women's boxing back to national stage". Espn.com. August 23, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Nate Diaz Drops Decision To Jake Paul In Boxing Debut". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Elizabeth Phillips to make Invicta FC debut after Heather Hardy fight falls off card". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Boxing star Heather Hardy signs with Bellator, will make MMA debut in NYC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Bellator 180 results: Heather Hardy finishes Alice Yauger in pro debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Heather Hardy to fight Kristina Williams at Bellator 185". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  18. ↑ Tucker, Bryan. "Bellator 185 Results: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko". mmafighting.com.
  19. ↑ "Heather Hardy vs. Ana Julaton official for Bellator 194 – and future boxing match". MMAjunkie. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Bellator 194 results: Heather Hardy outworks Ana Julaton in snoozer". MMAjunkie. February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Bellator 222 results: Taylor Turner smothers, mauls Heather Hardy for first-round TKO". MMA Junkie. June 15, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Bellator parts ways with 18 fighters: Daniel Straus, Tywan Claxton, Liam McGeary included". MMA Junkie. July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  23. ↑ "BKFC 61 marks New England debut as Heather Hardy crosses over vs. Christine Ferea". Yahoo Sports. March 22, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  24. ↑ Martin, Damon (April 25, 2024). "Christine Ferea vs. Heather Hardy no longer happening at the BKFC 61 event on May 11. Injury delays that one". Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com on X. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  25. ↑ Martin, Damon (May 6, 2024). "Heather Hardy reveals career likely over due to 'too much brain damage'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  26. 1 2 "18-year-old Victorian produces independent film about boxing, women's fight - Victoria Advocate" . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  27. ↑ Dove US (June 28, 2016), Dove | Beauty on your own terms #MyBeautyMySay , retrieved August 27, 2016
  28. ↑ Dove US (June 28, 2016), Dove | Heather's story #MyBeautyMySay , retrieved August 27, 2016
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