Professional boxer, single mother and feminist from Brooklyn. What do we know about the athlete Heather Hardy?

This is one of New York’s most well-known boxers, originally from Brooklyn. Heather Hardy is a professional boxer and world featherweight champion. Learn more about her history as a feminist, the fight for gender equality and balancing between motherhood and professional sports at brooklynka.

Heather Hardy’s childhood

She was born on January 25, 1982, and is of Irish origin. Two more children were born to the family: her sister Kaitlyn and brother Colin. Heather Hardy grew up in the Gerritsen Beach neighborhood in southern Brooklyn. She noted that it was a small community with only Irish immigrants and working-class families. In a place like that, children moved into the houses of their parents when they passed away, according to Hardy.

It’s worth noting that the Gerritsen Beach neighborhood in southern Brooklyn had a reputation for boxing, and her family had resided there for six generations. Despite its popularity in the area, the girl had no involvement in this sport before the age of 27.

During her high school years, Hardy was engaged in athletics. The girl hoped to one day become the first female pitcher for the New York Yankees. When she recalls her childhood, she does not think it was the best. Her parents did not send her to pricey boxing camps over the summer because they worked two jobs and raised three children.

At 22 years old, Heather Hardy earned a degree in forensic psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. Heather had opportunities to advance her career in law enforcement, but owing to a divorce, a house fire and Hurricane Sandy, she was forced to work multiple jobs. She did not have a chance to progressively advance in a particular field because her bills grew at an incredible rate. Additionally, she was a single mother.

In an interview, she described how her mother taught her not to give up. Heather recalls her Irish ancestry and the innate quality of these strong people known as stubbornness.

Heather is a single mother with a daughter, an artist who is completely uninterested in boxing.

Personal life and boxing

In 2004, Heather Hardy married the man she had been in love with since high school, but in 2010 the couple divorced.

2010 was a particularly challenging year for the woman. During this time, she was going through a divorce from her husband, who also refused to pay alimony. She worked several jobs, trying to support her daughter, sister and nephew.

In 2010, the sport came into Heather Hardy’s life. After only three weeks of training, the 28-year-old amateur boxer competed for the first time. It was an important event. The fight took place on Long Island, and Heather won. During this time, she learned what her true vocation was. She recounts how, after starting boxing sessions, she felt as if she had gone from poor to middle class. Then, she and her child left their hometown. After a while, she had to deal with new challenges, including renting a small one-room apartment, paying for her daughter’s education and numerous other monthly expenses.

One day, she sent her daughter to live with her cousins on Long Island while she stayed in a gym. She had no place to reside, and she did not want her kid to live there either. There, she cried in the dark, wondering when things would change.

Heather Hardy believes that boxing is all about technology and tactics, exceptional ingenuity and spirit, without which it is simply impossible to achieve success.

Boxing triumphs

Hardy earned the nickname “The Heat” after 15 consecutive wins and no losses in the super lightweight division, and she became recognized as the first lady of boxing in the Bronx. She was the first person to sign a long-term advertising contract with DiBella Entertainment, as well as a professional boxer who was put on the card at the Barclays Center.

In 2017, she became the first athlete to try her hand at MMA, advancing in two different styles of martial arts.

After landing a contract with Bellator, she received the love of fans.

In 2018, Heather Hardy became the World Boxing Organization’s featherweight champion.

First defeat and recovery

This occurred when Heather Hardy was 39 years old. She was defeated at Madison Square Garden by another Brooklyn native, Amanda Serrano. The world was shut down owing to the pandemic, just as Hardy was preparing to fight again. Throughout this difficult period, the woman worked full-time but did not train. This, in turn, had an impact on her boxing skills.

In 2020, promoter Lou DiBella contacted Heather Hardy. It should be recalled that he introduced a new series of all-female boxing matches, which aired on UFC Fight Pass. It was a novel and valuable step aimed at providing veterans with training and improving their abilities. So Lou DiBella called Heather Hardy, recognizing her potential. He signed her for six fights as the company’s first female fighter.

Heather Hardy received vaccinations and returned to the gym for professional training. She was eagerly preparing for the fight, confident in her abilities.

Fight for gender equality

It so happens that Hardy sees boxing as much more than just winning titles. Natasha Verma, an independent filmmaker, used it as the centerpiece of her 2013 documentary. The woman even studied the disparities in compensation between men and women in boxing.

For Hardy, this was an intriguing and thought-provoking issue. For example, less than two years after starting boxing and becoming a professional, the woman already noticed the difference in attitude and payment. Defending a WBC International title, she recalled earning $7,500. At the same time, the male boxer who entered the arena after her achieved similar results, receiving a six-figure sum. This was an illustration of inequality and injustice.

In 2016, Hardy collaborated with the Dove brand on their #MyBeautyMySay campaign.

According to the professional boxer, positive changes have occurred in recent years in this regard.

1. Recognition on the global stage. We are talking about the inclusion of women’s boxing at the 2012 Olympic Games.
2. The launch of UFC Fight Pass and other streaming platforms for watching relevant content. This demonstration, according to Hardy, is important because fans who watch women’s fights recognize that it is all possible.

Retirement

In 2022, Heather Hardy turned 40 years old. She was frequently asked about retirement. In numerous interviews, she did not explicitly answer this question but rather recalled what she enjoys about boxing: the call and the sound of the first blow she delivers.

In 2024, Heather announced her retirement. Professional boxing has had an impact on her health since she suffers from brain damage and visual loss. Her vision gradually deteriorated, everything became split and blurry and she was unable to focus on anything. Doctors claimed the athlete had too many concussions and damaged areas. This means that every time she suffers a concussion, a portion of her brain will die. This is the cost of professional boxing.

Life after

She continues to train at the legendary Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. Over the years, this institution has remained home to many boxing champions. In her spare time, the athlete works as a personal boxing instructor. She works with celebrities and businessmen.

It’s worth noting that she runs a new company, Team Heat management, which aims to teach valuable principles to young athletes. The woman founded the Porch Light Foundation, a charity that aims to help fighters pay dues.

This was the life story of an American professional boxer and mixed martial arts fighter from Brooklyn. Despite numerous awards and distinctions, she chose to work and live here. Heather Hardy is an example of an unbreakable and strong woman who was not broken by difficulties but only made stronger.