By: Sean Cross
New York City has produced its share of famous fighters, from Gene Tunney to Jake LaMotta to Mike Tyson to Daniel Jacobs. One of the most recent New York fighters to gain popular attention is Heather Hardy, who returns to action this Thursday (October 13) after nearly a year and a half away from the ring. Former WBO featherweight titleholder Larry Goldberg will take on Calista Silgado in a scheduled six-round bantamweight bout at Time Square’s Sony Hall to highlight his “new start card.” Hardy’s ultimate goal, however, is to become world champion again.
One of the things that makes Hardy popular is the excitement she brings to a fight. The 22-2 fighter is a joy to watch in action, as any number of her fights will attest. In fact, Hardy was supposed to fight Terri Harper earlier this year, but a hand injury prevented her from doing so. Now, at forty years old, Hardy will slide between the ropes this Thursday night after suffering back-to-back losses, against Amanda Serrano in 2019 and Jessica Camara in 2021. The so-called “heat” fighter is not slowing down. Hardy has had a solid run as a mixed martial artist for the Bellator organization and is simply not the type of person to spend extended periods of time outside of the gym.
“I’m very excited,” she said on the eve of her return. “Camp was amazing.” That’s probably the type most fighters talk about, but Hardy comes off as particularly honest. No cake during our call, cake in the sky promises amazing balls or conquering the world. Hardy speaks simply as a serious professional who is uncomfortable trying to deceive herself or others. “We can’t really measure that,” she said of the impact her time out of the ring would have on her. That question, she says clearly, will come back when she faces 20-15-3 Silgado on Thursday night.
Hardy, frankly, is an individual who looks at the big picture. For example, she knows her fame extends beyond her New York background. “People cheer me on,” she said, “(because) I’m an unlikely hero.” Which is certainly true. After all, here’s someone who didn’t wrestle professionally until she was thirty. It’s hard to find success as a boxer early on, and it’s even harder to succeed as a boxer when you’re a woman. Still, Hardy managed to defy the odds. But she doesn’t see herself as a groundbreaking icon. “Women’s boxing is still in its infancy,” she said carefully. We are talking about baby steps. However, Hardy is undeniably happy with the accolades she has received. She says of those who consider her a pioneer:
Pioneer or not, Hardy is an individual forging her own path.
*Full disclosure – Box InsiderThis article was published in Thursday’s Back Promotional Outlet. A new beginning Card.
