Boxer Heather Hardy’s reputation in the ring is that she’s tenacious and unrelenting. It’s not undeserved: She holds a 12-0 record in professional fights. But outside the ring, Hardy, a native of Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, is a single mother of a ten-year-old daughter, Annie. By day, she’s a trainer at Gleason’s Gym. Back in October, Hardy, nicknamed “The Heat,” won the WBC International female super bantamweight title, defeating Crystal Hoy in a fight held at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in midtown.
The below photo essay follows Hardy everywhere during the weeks before that title bout.
Hardy’s next fight is this Saturday against Renata Domsodi at the Barclays Center. They are the only two females on the card, headlined by Ryan Burnett fighting Stephon McIntyre. Hardy was one of the first two females to fight at the Barclays Center in June 2014. She hopes that her continued presence, and ticket sales, will sway Barclays to bring on more female fighters.
Words and photos by Dave Gershgorn.