By: Sean Crose
Former world champion Heather Hardy returned to Sony Hall in Manhattan’s Times Square on Thursday night to take on Taynna Cardoso in a scheduled eight-round light match. Hardy 23-2 started fast and aggressive from the opening bell while Cardoso 5-1-0 tried to tie the Brooklyn-born player. Hardy continued her attack for the second while Cardoso appeared willing to trade – though the body blows appear to have taken a toll on Cardoso. The boxers switched blows in the third round. It was an intense pace for both women to keep up with.
Hardy continued to push forward in the fourth inning. However, former Olympic athlete Cardoso did not come to New York to lose. It was an interesting battle. Cardoso has hit some good hits, but Hardy’s Jack Dempsey impersonation seems to be turning a profit. Hardy’s pace slowed down a bit in the fifth round, which allowed Cardoso to land well. While Hardy continued to move forward in the sixth round, Cardoso began to work his punches.
On Saturday, Hardy got his second wind. Cardoso is the game, but Hardy simply seems stronger and perhaps stronger than her brave foe. Cardoso struggled to win the eighth round, but Hardy – clearly exhausted – was determined to keep attacking and turning. It has become an exhausting job. The final seconds saw both women shoot each other.
Hardy was ultimately awarded the decisive majority victory from the jury.
“I’m tired, guys,” Hardy joked after the game. “I’m old. I want to go home now.” However, Hardy said she is setting her sights again on the bigger games – especially the second round with Amanda Serrano, who beat Hardy back in 2019.
