Heather Hardy Is Ready to Fight

Combat sports like mixed martial arts have stolen some of boxing’s thunder, but prize fighting can still bring in a tremendous paycheck—for men. For women, the rewards are smaller and the barriers to success much higher. Heather Hardy, a native of Brooklyn, started fighting during a difficult time in her life. She is now the undefeated W.B.C. International Super Bantamweight champion. Kelefa Sanneh talks to Hardy before and after a big fight at the Barclays Center, where she forfeited the prize money before setting foot in the ring—but fought anyway, and won.

Produced by Jill Du Boff and Sharon Mashihi.