Heather Hardy (born January 25, 1982) is an American former 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]
| Heather Hardy | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 25, 1982 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | The Heat |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 122 lb (55 kg; 8.7 st) |
| Division |
|
| Reach | 64 in (163 cm) |
| Style | Boxing, Kickboxing |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | Renzo Gracie Academy (2017–2019)[1] Serra-Longo Fight Team (2019–2019)[1] |
| Years active | Mixed Martial Arts: 2017–2019 Boxing: 2010–2024 |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 26 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| Losses | 3 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 4 |
| Wins | 2 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Early life and family
editHeather 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
editHeather 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
editHardy 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
editInvicta Fighting Championship
editHardy 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
editHardy 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
editBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
editHardy 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] Media outlets subsequently reported her retirement from combat sports.[26]
In the media
editFollowing 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".[27] She interviewed Hardy on her experiences and talked about how she was changing the face of a generally male dominated sport.[27]
In 2016, Hardy partnered with Dove on their #MyBeautyMySay campaign.[28][29]
Professional boxing record
edit| 28 fights | 24 wins | 3 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 20 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Loss | 24–3 (1) | Amanda Serrano | UD | 10 | Aug 5, 2023 | American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S. | For WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring female featherweight titles |
| 27 | Win | 24–2 (1) | Taynna Cardoso | MD | 6 | Feb 23, 2023 | Sony Hall, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 23–2 (1) | Calista Silgado | UD | 6 | Oct 13, 2022 | Sony Hall, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Loss | 22–2 (1) | Jessica Camara | UD | 8 | May 14, 2021 | Embassy Suites Nashville SE, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. | |
| 24 | Loss | 22–1 (1) | Amanda Serrano | UD | 10 | Sep 13, 2019 | Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost WBO female featherweight title; For vacant WBAN and WBC interim female featherweight title |
| 23 | Win | 22–0 (1) | Shelly Vincent | UD | 10 | Oct 27, 2018 | Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant WBO female featherweight title |
| 22 | Win | 21–0 (1) | Iranda Paola Torres | UD | 8 | Apr 21, 2018 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won NABF female featherweight title |
| 21 | Win | 20–0 (1) | Edina Kiss | UD | 8 | May 18, 2017 | Paramount Theater, Huntington, New York, U.S. | Retained WBC International female featherweight title |
| 20 | Win | 19–0 (1) | Edina Kiss | UD | 8 | Mar 4, 2017 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained WBC International female featherweight title |
| 19 | Win | 18–0 (1) | Shelly Vincent | MD | 10 | Aug 21, 2016 | Ford Amphitheater, Coney Island, New York, U.S. | Retained WBC International female featherweight title |
| 18 | Win | 17–0 (1) | Kirstie Simmons | UD | 8 | Jun 25, 2016 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 16–0 (1) | Anna Donatella Hultin | TKO | 4 (8) 0:48 | Apr 16, 2016 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 15–0 (1) | Noemi Bosques | UD | 8 | Dec 5, 2015 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 14–0 (1) | Renáta Dömsödi | RTD | 6 (10), 2:00 | Aug 1, 2015 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained WBC International female super bantamweight title |
| 14 | Win | 13–0 (1) | Noemi Bosques | SD | 8 | May 29, 2015 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | NC | 12–0 (1) | Renáta Dömsödi | NC | 3 (8), 1:57 | Apr 11, 2015 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained WBC International female super bantamweight title |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Elizabeth Anderson | UD | 10 | Dec 13, 2014 | BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Crystal Hoy | MD | 10 | Oct 15, 2014 | BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant WBC International female super bantamweight title |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Jackie Trivilino | TD | 7 (8) | Jun 14, 2014 | Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Nydia Feliciano | UD | 8 | Mar 21, 2014 | Aviator Sports Complex, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Christina Fuentes | SD | 8 | Feb 12, 2014 | Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Ana Laura Gomez | TKO | 2 (10) 1:44 | Nov 9, 2013 | Aviator Sports Complex, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant UBF International super bantamweight title |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Cassie Trost | TKO | 4 (6) 1:30 | Jul 24, 2013 | Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Mikayla Nebel | UD | 6 | Apr 4, 2013 | Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Peggy Maerz | UD | 4 | Jan 23, 2013 | BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Ivana Coleman | UD | 4 | Dec 8, 2012 | Resorts World Casino, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Unique Harris | UD | 4 | Oct 24, 2012 | Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Mikayla Nebel | UD | 4 | Aug 2, 2012 | Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. |
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 4 matches | 2 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 2 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 2–2 | Taylor Turner | TKO (punches) | Bellator 222 | June 14, 2019 | 1 | 3:53 | New York City, New York, United States | Catchweight (128 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 2–1 | Ana Julaton | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 194 | February 16, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Kristina Williams | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Bellator 185 | October 20, 2017 | 2 | 2:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Alice Yauger | TKO (punches) | Bellator 180 | June 24, 2017 | 3 | 4:47 | New York City, New York, United States |
References
edit- ^ a b Dave Doyle (June 12, 2019). "Heather Hardy discusses death threats after last Bellator fight, gym change to Serra-Longo". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ "Superstorm Sandy Brings One Family Closer". NPR.org. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "Meet Heather "The Heat" Hardy: Pro Boxer and Single Mom". Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "Why You Should Root For Rising Boxing Star Heather Hardy". Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ "Heather Hardy Doesn't Back Down from Any Fight | VICE Sports". Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ "Heather Hardy Doesn't Back Down from Any Fight". Fightland.
- ^ "I'm a Fighter". ESPN.
- ^ "Brooklyn Boxer Rises, but Her Feet Stay on the Ground". The New York Times. April 4, 2014.
- ^ PBS Indies (May 5, 2014), The Heat, retrieved August 25, 2016
- ^ New York Daily News (June 9, 2014), Heather "The Heat" Hardy, retrieved August 25, 2016
- ^ a b "Heather Hardy's long struggle for women's boxing finally pays off with TV bout". Boxingjunkie. August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ "espnw - Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent bring women's boxing back to national stage". Espn.com. August 23, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
- ^ "Nate Diaz Drops Decision To Jake Paul In Boxing Debut". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Elizabeth Phillips to make Invicta FC debut after Heather Hardy fight falls off card". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Boxing star Heather Hardy signs with Bellator, will make MMA debut in NYC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Bellator 180 results: Heather Hardy finishes Alice Yauger in pro debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ^ "Heather Hardy to fight Kristina Williams at Bellator 185". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ Tucker, Bryan. "Bellator 185 Results: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "Heather Hardy vs. Ana Julaton official for Bellator 194 – and future boxing match". MMAjunkie. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ "Bellator 194 results: Heather Hardy outworks Ana Julaton in snoozer". MMAjunkie. February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ "Bellator 222 results: Taylor Turner smothers, mauls Heather Hardy for first-round TKO". MMA Junkie. June 15, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "Bellator parts ways with 18 fighters: Daniel Straus, Tywan Claxton, Liam McGeary included". MMA Junkie. July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "BKFC 61 marks New England debut as Heather Hardy crosses over vs. Christine Ferea". Yahoo Sports. March 22, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Martin, Damon (May 6, 2024). "Heather Hardy reveals career likely over due to 'too much brain damage'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Mike Bohn and MMA Junkie Staff (November 17, 2024). "2024 MMA retirement tracker: A list of those who hung up the gloves". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "18-year-old Victorian produces independent film about boxing, women's fight - Victoria Advocate". Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ Dove US (June 28, 2016), Dove | Beauty on your own terms #MyBeautyMySay, retrieved August 27, 2016
- ^ Dove US (June 28, 2016), Dove | Heather's story #MyBeautyMySay, retrieved August 27, 2016