A boxing champion's life forever altered. Heather Hardy, once celebrated as the 'Billion-Dollar Baby' of boxing, is now battling the devastating aftermath of her career, and she's taking the boxing world to court. But here's where it gets controversial: she claims the very industry that celebrated her victories is responsible for her current suffering.
Hardy, a Brooklyn-born featherweight champion, is now dealing with daily headaches, seizures, and muscle spasms – symptoms strongly linked to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease often seen in football players. Her lawsuit, a first of its kind for a female boxer, accuses doctors, promoters, and even equipment manufacturers of negligence.
The core of her claim is that she was medically cleared to fight when she shouldn't have been, and was denied essential health insurance. Hardy's lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, stated it plainly: "They lined their pockets with her pain — but when she was broken, they tossed her on the scrap heap."
Hardy's professional boxing journey began in 2012 to support her daughter. Over 27 bouts, she achieved a record of 24 wins and only 3 losses, earning a total of $236,450.
The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Nitin Sethi, the New York State Athletic Commission's chief medical officer, misinterpreted her MRI results, allowing her to fight when she should have been sidelined. Furthermore, Hardy claims she was denied access to medical insurance mandated for bout-related injuries, which could have potentially slowed the progression of her symptoms.
But this is not the whole story. Standard insurance policies for fights in New York typically expire one year after a match if no claims are filed. The state Athletics Commission knew about her declining physical condition, she claimed in court paper which do not name the commission as a defendant.
Her final match, on August 5, 2023, saw her absorb 278 brutal punches from Amanda Serrano. She lost by unanimous decision. Months later, she lost her vision for three days. Despite a doctor's recommendation to see a neurologist, she couldn't afford it, according to the legal filing.
Hardy is suing several entities, including Everlast Worldwide, Boxing Insider, and boxing promoter Lou DiBella. While some, like Goldberg's lawyer, are calling the allegations false, others are questioning the lawsuit's motives. Some boxing sources have labeled it a "shakedown," pointing out that the promoters of her final match were not included in the suit.
And this is the part most people miss... Another source suggests that factors beyond boxing could be contributing to her illness, including domestic abuse, heavy drinking, and an e-bike accident. Hardy herself has spoken openly about her struggles, including admitting to drinking a bottle of wine every night for a decade.
The legal battle is ongoing, and the boxing world is watching. What do you think about the case? Do you believe the boxing industry failed Heather Hardy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
