Heather Hardy


Heather Hardy is an 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.

Early life and family

Heather Hardy was born on January 25, 1982 to John and Linda Hardy and is of Irish descent. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. In 2016, Hardy made major strides for women's boxing by landing a televised gig on NBCSN against Shelly Vincent.

Mixed martial arts career

Invicta Fighting Championship

Hardy was scheduled to make her professional MMA debut against Brieta Carpenter at. However, the bout was cancelled due to an injury by Carpenter.

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. She won the fight via TKO in the third round.
Hardy faced Kristina Williams in a flyweight contest at Bellator 185. She lost the bout via TKO due to a doctor stoppage in the second round after a head kick from Williams shattered her nose.
Hardy faced Ana Julaton on February 16, 2018 at Bellator 194. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Hardy faced Taylor Turner at Bellator 222 on June 14th, 2019. She lost the fight via First Round TKO.

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". She interviewed Hardy on her experiences and talked about how she was changing the face of a generally male dominated sport.
In 2016, Hardy partnered with Dove on their #MyBeautyMySay campaign.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
24Loss22-1 Amanda SerranoUD1013 Sep 2019 Madison Square Garden Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost WBO featherweight title;
For vacant WBAN and interim WBC featherweight title
23Win22-0 Shelly VincentUD1027 Oct 2018 Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, USAWon vacant WBO featherweight title
22Win21-0 Iranda Paola TorresUD821 Apr 2018 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USAWon NABF featherweight title
21Win20-0 Edina KissUD818 May 2017 Paramount Theater, Huntington, New York, USARetained WBC International female featherweight title
20Win19-0 Edina KissUD84 Mar 2017 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USARetained WBC International featherweight title
19Win18-0 Shelly VincentMD1021 Aug 2016 Ford Amphitheater, Coney Island, New York, USARetained WBC International featherweight title
18Win17-0 Kirstie SimmonsUD825 Jun 2016Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
17Win16-0 Anna Donatella HultinTKO4 0:4816 Apr 2016 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
16Win15-0 Noemi BosquesUD85 Dec 2015 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
15Win14-0 Renata DomsodiRTD6, 2:001 Aug 2015 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USARetained WBC International super bantamweight title
14Win13-0 Noemi BosquesSD829 May 2015 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
1312-0 Renata DosmodiNC3, 1:5711 Apr 2015 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USARetained WBC International super bantamweight title
12Win12-0 Elizabeth AndersonUD1013 Dec 2014 BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York, New York, USA
11Win11-0 Crystal HoyMD1015 Oct 2014 BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York, New York, USAWon vacant WBC International super bantamweight title
10Win10-0 Jackie TrivilinoTD7 14 Jun 2014 Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, USA
9Win9-0 Nydia FelicianoUD821 Mar 2014 Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York USA
8Win8-0 Christina FuentesSD812 Feb 2014 Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, USA
7Win7-0 Ana Laura GomezTKO2 1:449 Nov 2013 Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York USAWon vacant UBF International super bantamweight title
6Win6-0 Cassie TrostTKO4 1:3024 Jul 2013 Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, USA
5Win5-0 Mikayla NebelUD64 Apr 2013 Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, USA
4Win4-0 Peggy MaerzUD423 Jan 2013 BB Kings Blues Club & Grill, New York, New York, USA
3Win3-0 Ivana ColemanUD48 Dec 2012 Resorts World Casino, Queens, New York, USA
2Win2-0 Unique HarrisUD424 Oct 2012 Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, USA
1Win1-0 Mikayla NebelUD42 Aug 2012 Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, USA

Mixed martial arts record