Heather Hardy’s inspirational story grows with each victory.
The Gerritsen Beach boxer’s tale is one of perseverance, discovery and will. She finally has a home — an apartment near Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn Heights — after a fire and Hurricane Sandy respectively destroyed her two previous residences. Hardy’s true habitat remains the ring after taking up boxing three years ago.
“I was the most shy girl in the whole world and I still am, but for whatever reason, when I got in the ring and fought in front of over 2,000 people, it felt like home for the first time,” she said.
The 32-year-old Hardy, nicknamed “The Heat,” is now a perfect 8-0 in her professional career after a split-decision win over Cristina Fuentes (77–75, 77–75, 75–77) in a super bantamweight fight at Roseland Ballroom on Feb. 12. She is the Universal Boxing Federation International champion and is expected to headline an all female card put on by DiBella Entertainment and rapper 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions.
Hardy still has a hard time believing it all.
“I can’t believe I’m a pro boxer,” Hardy said. “I can’t believe this is my life. ”
Her story illustrates a lesson for all. Even in our darkest days, we can still find hope and a new beginning.
For Hardy, a divorced single mother, that new beginning was a kickboxing class in her local gym. For others, it could be going back to school, making a career change or no longer putting off something you always wanted to do. You just have to go out there and try.
“To know that I took that first step and did something with my life is the greatest feeling,” Hardy said.
Her calm and toughness comes across in the ring. Hardy took a barrage of power punches from Fuentes in the opening round. Red marks, which later turned to black and blues, formed on her face. Hardy took plenty of punches, but was never knocked down and made sure to return the favor with vicious combinations. She relaxed and out-boxed her opponent.
“I don’t really need to calm her down,” said her trainer Devon Cormack. “I just need to explain what happened.”
There is no need to explain what happened to Hardy’s life. She discovered herself in boxing — found what she was good at and loved it.
If you haven’t found what you love, Hardy’s is one of those stories that shows it is never too late.
“All the moms were doing all this shopping stuff,” she said. “I felt so out of place.”
Now she is right were she belongs.
