Former champion Heather Hardy is seeking more than $10 million in damages from Jake Paul, Most Valuable Promotions, Bryce Holden and Holden Boxing, alleging her 2023 rematch with Amanda Serrano caused permanent brain injury and ended her career.
Hardy says symptoms became more apparent in early 2024 while she prepared for a bare-knuckle fight: she lost vision during light sparring, and an ophthalmologist told her the problem originated in her brain, prompting her retirement. The complaint cites Dr. Curreri’s assessment of traumatic brain injury, memory loss, double vision and other impairments. CompuBox statistics recorded Serrano landing 242 power punches during the 20-minute bout.
The 54-page complaint was filed Sept. 23 in federal court in Dallas. The Aug. 5, 2023, bout was on the undercard of Paul’s fight with Nate Diaz. Hardy alleges longtime promoter Lou DiBella declined to arrange the rematch because he considered it unsafe, and that MVP bypassed him. Though Holden Boxing was the licensed promoter, the complaint says it served as a shield for MVP. Hardy brings five claims, including negligence and violation of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, and seeks legal costs and an injunction to prevent similar harm.
