DGS Main Event Hometown Fighter of the Year: Heather “The Heat” Hardy

If you want to read an inspiring story of one of the biggest names in Women’s boxing today, look to none other than Brooklyn’s own Heather “The Heat” Hardy.

It is impossible to hold a professional boxing card in New York and not feature the undefeated Women’s boxing champion as one of the premiere bouts. Since turning pro in 2012, Hardy (19-0-1 NC) has fought numerous times at B.B. Kings and Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan and more recently, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Since her debut, “The First Lady of Boxing” has fought on cards usually every 2-4 months, but this year with the passing of the new combat sports law, enabling professional mixed martial arts to hold fight cards in New York, boxing has had a major struggle hosting the once frequent cards.

With the new law, higher insurance coverage was required in order for cards to take place. The major road block for professional boxing was not the law itself, but the fact the New York State Athletic Commission has yet to appoint an insurance company for promoters to purchase the policies through. Not just hurting the pockets of the promoters, but the fighters as well.

With the foggy possibility of a definite fight in the near future in her home base, Hardy stressed the need to fight again, mostly for financial reasons. Unsure when her next payday would happen, she took a major step that not many fighters would be willing to do. Hardy announced she will be making her MMA debut with the all-female fight promotion, Invicta FC on January 14th in Kansas City. This is the first time Hardy will fight out of New York.

Hardy is the true definition of not just a fighter, but a champion. In a situation where many professional boxers are waiting out the hiatus, hoping the early cards scheduled in 2017 get the green light, Hardy is falling back on her kickboxing days and training with other professional women fighters, such as UFC Women’s Bantamweight Katlyn Chookagain at the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC to work on her ground game.

Hardy will be making her MMA debut on January 14th at Invicta FC 14, streaming live on UFC Fight Pass.

Following her debut, she will be getting right back in the ring to train for her anticipated bout on the Keith Thurman vs. Danny Garcia boxing card at Barclays Center on March 4th. The fight card has yet to be officially announced.