MVP responds to Heather Hardy's $10m lawsuit

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has responded to the $10 million lawsuit filed by former world champion Heather Hardy over her 2023 rematch with Amanda Serrano.

Hardy, 44, alleges she suffered a career-ending brain injury after losing to Serrano by unanimous decision on the undercard of Jake Paul’s victory over Nate Diaz in Dallas in August 2023.

The former WBO featherweight champion has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleging negligence and breaches of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.

Among Hardy’s claims is that warning signs surrounding her participation were overlooked and that the contest was allowed to proceed despite concerns over her health. She has also alleged that MVP operated behind another promotional organisation in relation to the event.

MVP has now responded to the action, stressing that Hardy had been medically cleared to box and that the contest took place under the supervision of the relevant athletic commission.

"MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy,” the statement reads.

"We recognize the difficulty of her circumstances and extend our sincere sympathy and hope that she receives the care and support she deserves.

"Heather's participation on our August 5, 2023 card was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, who contracted for the fight, and Heather publicly expressed her gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the fight.

"MVP followed applicable protocols for the fight, Heather was medically cleared to compete by the athletic commission overseeing the event, and the bout proceeded under the commission's authority and supervision in accordance with their standard medical and safety requirements.

"MVP remains committed to fighter safety and supporting the athletes who compete in our events in full compliance with commission standards."

The Serrano rematch proved to be Hardy’s final fight.

The pair had first met in 2019, when Serrano won a unanimous decision to take Hardy’s WBO featherweight title. Four years later, Serrano again prevailed on the scorecards in a contest which delivered Hardy the biggest purse of her career.

Hardy subsequently agreed to make her bare-knuckle boxing debut but withdrew after experiencing problems with her vision. At the time, Hardy said she had been advised that the symptoms were consistent with the effects of repeated head trauma.

Hardy, who also competed in MMA during her career, finished with a professional boxing record of 24-3 (4 KOs).