Meet Heather "The Heat" Hardy: Pro Boxer and Single Mom
Heather “The Heat” Hardy the pro boxer and single mother. (Photo courtesy of Susan Watts/NY Daily News).
When we think of knockouts, women’s boxing isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but Heather “The Heat” Hardy is trying to change that one fight at a time. The 33-year-old single mother took up the sport four years ago during a rough time in her life. “I first boxed for fun and to relieve stress. They opened a little kickboxing gym in my neighborhood while I was going through a pretty messy divorce,” says Hardy. “They offered classes at night, so I was able to go for an hour after working all day.”
Hardy quickly caught they eye of a professional trainer and began training at Gleason’s Gym. The Brooklyn native captured the 2011 Metro title after only 11 months of training. In 2012 Hardy took the NYC Golden Gloves Featherweight title and in October 2013 she also won the Super Bantamweight UBF Inter-Continental Title. Now fighting professionally, Hardy admits the one downside is that women’s boxing isn’t particularly lucrative. “The few chances we are given, we are barely paid,” says Heather. “It is industry standard for a woman to be thankful that we were given the opportunity to fight, and therefore we accept the pennies that are offered to us in hopes we will get the chance again.”
On the eve of Hardy’s fight at the Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, on Saturday, April 11, the fighter talks about engaging in a ‘man’s sport’, motherhood, and tips for women wanting to pursue a path similar to her own.
How did you decide to take up boxing – for fun and ultimately professionally?
It was a place where I could just be Heather—not mom, or someone’s ex-wife, or an employee, or the person responsible for feeding an entire house. I could just be me. I had my first fight within three weeks of putting gloves on my hands. From that day, I knew this was what I was born to do.
What would you be doing if you weren’t boxing?
I actually graduated John Jay College with my degree in Forensic Psychology.
Heather, “The Heat,” Hardy prepares in her gym for her upcoming fight on Saturday, April 11th. (Photo courtesy of Heather Hardy).
What makes you feel confident?
Knowing that I work hard and make an honest living. Seeing that I can provide for my daughter, and we can live comfortably without being shackled to someone else out of necessity. I love my job, I love where we live, and I totally love my partner Devon who helps me and supports me endlessly. I love knowing I can continue on day after day, all by myself if I needed to. I never feel like the prettiest girl in the room, or the strongest, or even the smartest. But my confidence comes from being content with what I have and what I can do.
How do you balance motherhood and athletics? What’s the hardest part?
Like any other single parent, whether it is a professional athlete, or a police officer or a bank teller, we find ways to make it work. My mom and my sister are lifelines for me – always helping out babysitting or for rides. Devon, my coach and partner, is always there to help out with my daughter Annie. She comes to the gym when I have to work or train, she’ll follow me on my runs while riding her bike behind.
How do you explain beauty Annie?
I am not too hung up on cosmetics and fancy clothes. I never make her wear a dress or force her to wear anything. I allow her to express beauty however she feels it.
Is it tough to engage in a rough sport and maintain femininity?
Not really. Boxing is just what I do. It’s not an attitude. It’s not an appearance. It’s just a job. The same way cops don’t go around shooting people, or fire fighters don’t run around spraying people with a hose. It doesn’t make me any more or less feminine than I already am.
Heather Hardy casually leans against the wall of her gym. (Photo courtesy of Susan Watts/NY Daily News).
Are you a self-proclaimed tomboy, a girly girl, or a bit of each?
I suppose I’m somewhere in between. I’m not opposed to wearing heels and makeup, I love bikinis with ruffles, but I don’t really concern myself with my physical appearance.
What is it like to be involved in what is typically thought to be a man’s sport?
It’s extremely difficult. There is still such a large pay gap between what the men are paid and what the women are paid, and that’s due in large part to the fact that big networks will not televise female fights. Since that is where promoters make money off their fighters, the promoters do not see us as a long-term investment, and therefore don’t really bother with us. Women are rarely given opportunities to fight on shows because the slots are given to the men who might one day have a spot on network or cable TV.
What beauty products do you carry in your gym bag to practice and fights?
Vaseline for my split and cracked knuckles. Also, ChapStick and deodorant. I never leave home without my mouthpiece.
What advice do you have for girls and women who want to be boxers, and follow in your footsteps?
I just read somewhere that “You can’t cheat the grind – it knows how much you’ve invested and it won’t give you anything you haven’t worked for.” Don’t believe the hype! Success doesn’t come by luck, by being in the right place at the right time; it doesn’t come because you’re cute or charming. It doesn’t come by accident. Success, in anything, comes through hard work and dedication. There are no substitutes.
What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not in the ring?
I love to eat. If I had a billion dollars, I’d travel around the world just to eat all of the foods.
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