Heather Hardy is asking for help covering her rent. The former WBO featherweight world champion has launched a fundraiser to meet basic living expenses after suffering a traumatic brain injury, and has raised more than $30,000 of a $100,000 target across 215 donations.
Hardy says the damage has affected her health, her vision, and her capacity to work consistently enough to cover her costs. She describes it as the hardest fight of her life outside the ring, and attributes it directly to years of taking punches.
The fundraiser, which she organised herself, states that the money goes toward rent, daily necessities, and enough stability for her to focus on her health.
Hardy built her career in Brooklyn as a single mother, holding the WBC International title before winning the WBO featherweight championship. She fought in a period when women’s boxing had far less institutional support, a point she raises herself in the appeal.
Her highest-profile night came against Amanda Serrano for the undisputed featherweight championship three years ago. Serrano remains active and headlines her own card later this month.
Hardy’s appeal closes by addressing anyone who has given everything to a job that took their health and left them without support, which is the part of this that reaches well past boxing.
