Brooklyn Boxer โHeather Hardy Sues Boxing Industry, Citing Negligenceโ in Neurological Decline
NEW YORK, NY – Brooklyn-based boxer Heather Hardy has filed a lawsuit against multiple entitiesโข within the boxing world, โขalleging negligence that led to debilitating neurological injuriesโข sustained during her professional career. The suit seeks unspecified damages and reimbursement for medical expenses related to conditions she โattributes to repeated head trauma.
Hardy, 42, is suing the New โYork State Athletic Commission, allegingโฃ it improperlyโฃ issued licenses allowing her to continue fighting despite potential risks. โขShe โalso names everlast Worldwide and โits parent company, Frasers Group; Boxing Insider, owned by Larry Goldberg; โขand boxing promoter Lou โคDiBella as defendants.
The lawsuit stems from injuries Hardy believes are directly linked to her boxing career, culminating in โฃaโ bout against Amanda Serrano โon august 5, 2023, at the American Airlines Center inโค Dallas, whereโ she absorbed 278 punches and lost by unanimous decision. Months โคafter the โฃfight, Hardy experienced a three-day period ofโค vision loss.A physician recommended by the commission suggested a neurologicalโ evaluation, but Hardy stated in court filings she couldโฃ not afford it.
Hardy is experiencing symptoms consistent with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Larry Goldberg’s โlawyer, Keith Sullivan, dismissed the allegations as “absolute horses-t,” claiming documentation proves the claims are false and arguing the lawsuit against Boxing โInsider should โbe dismissed. Lou DiBella’s lawyer, Alex Dombroff, labeled the suit “sensationalistโ fiction” and has filed for its โdismissal.
Several boxing sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, have characterized the lawsuitโข as a “shakedown” and questioned why Most โValuable Promotions, co-owned by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian – the promoters of โHardy’s finalโค match – were not named โin the suit.
One source โคstated, “Heather should never have been in the โขring with Serrano.”
Another sourceโข suggested other potential contributing factors to Hardy’s condition,including past domestic abuse,alcohol consumption,and a recent e-bike accident. A source โclaimed Hardy “admitted to drinking a bottle of wine every night for 10 years” in an online video, though The Post was unable to verify the claim. Hardy’s court papers stateโฃ doctors at NYU Langone โattributed her alcohol useโ to neurological issues caused by her boxingโ career.
Representativesโค for everlast,Sethi,and Most Valuable Productions have not responded to requests for comment.