SportsHeather Hardy ends career over health concerns, reveals brain damage

Heather Hardy ends career over health concerns, reveals brain damage

Heather Hardy

Images source: © Getty Images | Sam Hodde

8 May 2024 08:19

Former WBO Featherweight World Champion Heather Hardy has made a sudden decision to cancel her upcoming fight, indicating the end of her sports career due to serious health problems.

Boxing, known for its high risk of future-manifesting injuries, seems to have taken its toll on Hardy. The American, who shone as a WBO world champion and ventured into mixed martial arts, appears set to retire from sports.

Originally scheduled for a debut in Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC) on May 10 against flyweight champion Christina Fera, Hardy withdrew from the match four days prior.

"I had too many concussions. When you have one concussion, a piece of the brain dies, and you never get it back. Over ten years, I've suffered too much damage. I can't fight anymore because otherwise, I might lose my sight," she expressed on Instagram.

Since August of last year, when she lost by decision to Amanda Serrano, Hardy has not fought, and it seems unlikely she will return to competitive fighting.

"No running, jogging, jumping rope, no blows to the head," Hardy further detailed her condition's limitations.

Beginning her professional boxing career in 2012, Hardy became the WBO world champion in the featherweight class six years later. Her first foray into MMA came in 2017 at the Bellator 180 event.

Despite previously keeping her health issues private, Hardy recently revealed the severity of her condition online. "I hadn't told anyone how bad it was, not my boyfriend not my coaches. I thought I could make it through the ten minute fight, but after a very light sparring session i couldn't see shit for two days," she disclosed.

Doctors have diagnosed her with irreversible brain damage, consequently banning her from engaging in any more fights.