Heather Hardy's Transition to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
After a decade in women's boxing, former WBO featherweight titlist Heather Hardy is ready for a new challenge. Hardy recently announced that she will be closing out her career in style by making her debut with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) this May. Her opponent for the debut match? The undefeated flyweight champion Christine Ferea.
In a recent phone interview, Hardy expressed her excitement about this new chapter in her fighting career. "I really wanted to make the most of my last year of fighting," Hardy said. "Christine has always been supportive throughout my career, so I reached out to her personally."
Christine Ferea is known to be a formidable opponent in the BKFC, making this upcoming match a highly anticipated event for fans. Despite the challenge, Hardy is looking forward to testing her skills in a new fighting environment.
"Money Fights and Career Goals: A Fighter's Journey"
Heather Hardy, a seasoned boxer, acknowledges that she deliberately chose the toughest path in her career. "I'm looking for where the money fights are," Hardy confesses. She firmly believes that success in fighting equates to financial stability. For Hardy, boxing is not just a passion but a means to provide for her family. "I started boxing to get my daughter out of the old neighborhood," she reveals. Now that her daughter is in college, Hardy sets her sights on conquering the challenging world of bare knuckle boxing.
Comparing mainstream boxing to bare knuckle boxing, Hardy points out significant differences. In bare knuckle boxing, she notes, the risk of skin breaking injuries is higher, which could significantly impact the outcome of a match. While bare knuckle combat is an intense brawl, Hardy considers traditional boxing a more refined and respectful sport. Despite having competed in MMA as well, boxing remains Hardy's favorite due to the influence of her father, who helped her appreciate the beauty of the sport.
Reflecting on her experiences as both a coach and a fighter, Hardy values the disciplined and family-oriented atmosphere of boxing. She praises the no-nonsense approach in the sport, emphasizing that participants must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. Known for her candidness, Hardy is unapologetically honest and pragmatic about her career and aspirations.
Contemplating her participation in BKFC, she wonders aloud, "Am I going to fall in love with this sport?" Despite her doubts, she affirms, "Probably not." When asked about her return to MMA, she confidently states, "I am training. I'm back at MMA." And then there's boxing. After her recent unsuccessful bout in August against Amanda Serrano, does she still yearn for success in the ring? "WBC green belt," she declares with conviction. "The WBC at the end of the year." As for life after fighting, she reveals, "I've had thoughts. Do I open a gym, do I become a manager? I don't see myself falling out of one particular area."
Even if this indeed marks her final year as a professional fighter, it's difficult to envision her completely stepping away from the fight game. She has become an integral part of its fabric by now.
The highly anticipated Christine Ferea-Heather Hardy showdown is scheduled for May 11th at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Fans can catch the action live on BKFC+
