Hardy’s route into boxing was far faraway from the standard path.
She had already graduated from John Jay Faculty of Felony Justice in New York with a level in forensic psychology and idolised the late Supreme Courtroom justice and girls’s rights pioneer Ruth Bader Ginsburg earlier than she even conceived the concept of a profession in boxing.
Hardy knew she was a “highly effective lady” however was uncertain the best way to put her powers to finest use.
Making an attempt to make ends meet as a single mum and dealing wherever between two to 6 jobs at one time, Hardy first stepped right into a boxing gymnasium in 2010 as a technique to get a break from the day by day grind. It quickly turned a ardour and doubtlessly a manner out as she strived to supply a greater high quality of life for her daughter.
In April 2011, Hardy, aged 29, competed in her first beginner contest and have become the US nationwide featherweight champion simply two months later.
After making her skilled debut in the summertime of 2012, Hardy launched into a six-year unbeaten run, spanning 23 contests and culminating in a victory towards Shelly Vincent for the WBO featherweight title on the Theater, inside Madison Sq. Backyard.
She additionally challenged herself on the planet of combined martial arts and competed 4 occasions underneath the banner of promotion Bellator – profitable two and dropping two.
A primary defeat within the boxing ring got here by the hands of Serrano, a seven-division world champion, once they first met in 2019 and she or he retired with an general document of 24 wins, three losses and one no-contest.
Hardy achieved that success contained in the ring regardless of going through challenges few may ever think about or would want to expertise in her private life.
“There was all the pieces from hurricanes to homelessness and home fires,” she says.
“We have been on the road with my mother and father residing in a church basement, something that might occur did occur.
“However I am sitting right here as a result of I place confidence in God and I’ve walked with him this whole path. It is a easy thought that you simply stroll proper, you do proper and you do not look again. You do not quit, you do not cease and what you deserve will come.”
