By: Hans Themistode
Heather Hardy’s personality has always been an outburst. The New York-born girl flashed a bright and warm smile as she entered a room, which is usually followed by kind and friendly conversations. However, whenever she stepped inside a boxing ring, her smile widened.
For nearly a decade, Hardy had reason to smile. She is well known to the public as one of the more prominent figures in women’s boxing, her fan base continues to expand and in 2018 – she fulfilled her lifelong dream of being become world champion.
However, what was supposed to be her crowning achievement after going through an arduous road to get there, turned out to be unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
Hardy’s title reign was brutally cut short at the hands of Amanda Serrano during their featherweight unification in 2019. After taking a break of over a year and a half, Hardy will be back in the ring against Jessica Camara, only to receive the second defeat in a row of his career. .
With losses piling up and unnecessary actions taking place behind the scenes, Hardy realizes it’s all affected her once vibrant personality.
“I’ve been playing games for a long time,” Hardy said in a recent press release. “For about a year or so, I realized that I was just going through the motions. I’m not in love anymore, I’m not obsessed. I got caught up in the business of the sport and it broke my heart. ”
Although Hardy’s title reign was fleeting, and for the first time in her career facing the pain of loss in a row, the 39-year-old gradually began to find her way. She regularly trains for clients at the famous Gleasons gym in New York and as a result, her interest in the sport has returned.
But while Hardy’s desire to fight rekindles, she’s anxious to prove that she still has a lot to give.
On March 12, at Nottingham Arena in the United Kingdom, Hardy will face former featherweight champion Terri Harper. With boxing mortality looking Hardy in the eye, she could hear suspicious voices that made her doubt her chances against Harper and to make another run.
However, no matter what punishment is directed at her, Hardy is well aware that it’s not every day that someone nearing 40 gets another chance to return to the limelight. And that alone, she appreciates but is not pleased with.
“I am really grateful for this opportunity. Not everyone gets a second chance, especially at my age. I’m on this stage, on this platform, with one more chance to show myself and the world what I can do. ”
