Heather “The Heat” Hardy Reacts to Shelito’s Comments, talks about her documentary Hardy and much more

Interview by Pattee Mak- July 29, 2013

Heather “The Heat” Hardy (6-0-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, New York, has been keeping herself pretty busy in 2013. She’s already fought three times this year, there is a documentary currently being filmed about her, “Hardy,” which details her life inside and outside of the ring. She remains undefeated and after her last bout against Cassie Trost (1-1-1), Shelly “Shelito” Vincent (9-0-0) of Providence, Rhode Island, came forward and called “the Heat” out.

Pattee Mak: Lets start off during your post fight interview with Steve Farhood. You are standing in the ring, you just won your fight against Trost and all of a sudden Vincent comes forward, was trying to grab your attention and was calling you out. What were you thinking at that moment?

Heather Hardy: You won’t see me begging anyone to be their next fight. This person obviously has lots of free time on her hands. She was tweeting and making videos during my last training camp, trying to deter my attention from what was really important, the upcoming fight with Cassie. Her actions were classless, and a complete disregard and disrespect to both myself, and my opponent.

Pattee Mak: The following day after Vincent called you out, I ended up interviewing Vincent about her quest to fight you. [Click here for the interview: http://bit.ly/InterviewShelly2]. I’m not sure if you had a chance to read what she had to say. Some words were not so nice. Any comments?

Heather Hardy: I am not concerned with her opinions of me, just the inaccuracies in some of the statements she has made. Let it be known that I don’t need her, nor was I looking to come after whatever title she holds. After her shouting and antics at ringside, and with the sold out crowd at Roseland Ballroom watching, I said, “Lets go!” My current promoter, Lou DiBella, agreed to put the fight on, and her response was, “I have to talk to Jimmy.” I would imagine that should have been done prior to her barrage of videos and tweets. Seriously, do you want this fight to happen or are you just looking to get your five minutes of fame? She is just not that important to me. I have no desire to make concessions on meeting her half way. She states that she is the best in boxing. In our division, she is ranked #6 and I am ranked #26. She wants to call herself the “best,” but looks down the ladder to call me out? Okay, fine. Then come down and get it.

Pattee Mak: On July 25, 2013 on KO Digest Ringside Report-Broadway Boxing on Facebook, Shelly commented, “Didn’t Lou say he’d make the fight tho..yes he did… Now if they back that up…I WILL KO HEATHER… Word to my MOTHER.” Do you feel she’ll have the power and/or skill to KO you in the ring?

Heather Hardy: I have the privilege of being in the ring and training alongside world champions. My sparring partners include Alicia Ashley, as well as Amanda and Cindy Serrano. I have seen and been in the ring with some of the best, and Shelly Vincent couldn’t hold a candle to any of these girls.

Pattee Mak: What do you know about Shelly “Shelito” Vincent and have you been ducking her?

Heather Hardy: I know that she fights in Rhode Island with her promoter, and I fight on my promoter’s shows here in NYC. I didn’t even know who she was until she started tweeting and posting stuff on my social media pages. I haven’t been ducking her. What does she have going on? Obviously not much, which is why she needs me. I stay busy training, working, supporting my family, and filming this movie, “Hardy,” with director Natasha Verma. I simply don’t have the time to play around and record songs while sitting in the driveway with my friends.

Pattee Mak: Anything you like to comment back to Vincent?

Heather Hardy: We both know that boxing matches are not made by fighters. The promoters and managers make matches. Have your people talk to my people, or shut up. You already got the go ahead from Lou and my team, so there is nothing else to be said. Go train, or do something positive for the sport.

Pattee Mak: Switching gears for a moment. Congrats on your documentary that is currently being filmed, called “Hardy,” directed by Natasha Verma. You probably could have never dreamed of such an experience. How excited are you and how did this come about?

Heather Hardy: I am so exited and honored to have been a part of this project. Natasha Verma came to me about a year ago and pitched the idea of doing a film about the struggles and inequality for women in the sport, and asked if she could feature me. It’s an honor to know that I can be a voice for all girls fighting for respect in a predominately male sport.

Pattee Mak: Are the film crew following you around 24/7 or are set times scheduled?

Heather Hardy: Natasha Verma and I communicate 24/7, and the crew is always around, so most aspects of my life, training, and the business side of boxing is being covered. No set times are scheduled. The large crew for the film comes around with all the sound equipment and cameras to make sure they capture all the key moments going on in my life.

Pattee Mak: Hardy is currently being managed and trained by Devon Cormack at Gleason’s Gym in New York. This question is for Cormack, how long have you been training Hardy and how did you become her trainer?

Devon Cormack: I started training Heather about three years ago. She started at Gleason’s Gym under the tutelage of my sister, current WBC 122 lb champ Alicia Ashley. It was really after her second amateur boxing match and second amateur loss that showed me she had the heart of a lion. Alicia is still the WBC world champion, so having to prepare for her matches and train other students made for a full plate. It was better for Alicia to give Heather to me, so I could spend the time and give her the focus that she needed. She became my project after that second amateur fight. She looked me in the eye and said, “I don’t want to lose anymore.” We’ve been working together ever since.

Pattee Mak: Since her pro debut, what adjustments have you’ve made along the way?

Devon Cormack: Heather is still new to the sport and still has a lot to learn. Unlike most boxers who grew up in the sport with much more experience, Heather is learning her trade on the job. The good thing is that she has accomplished so much in such little time, and what she has learned is still just a drop in the pond. She still has much more to learn, with lots of room to grow. Each fight, she has shown me improvements in her footwork, punching ability and defense.

Pattee Mak: I believe trainers should have a say in who their fighters should fight next. What’s your thought on Vincent as either her next opponent or as a future opponent?

Devon Cormack: We are constantly working on improving Heather’s boxing, and it has never been our style to call out other fighters when we are trying to make ourselves better. As far as Vincent is concerned, I’m not sure what kind of a threat Heather Hardy is to her? She hasn’t been boxing very long. If they fight now, Heather would win. It doesn’t benefit Heather to run to fight Shelly Vincent. She has nothing that we need. If Shelly Vincent sees a benefit in fighting Heather, then she can come on down and fight her here. We are ready. I think it will be a beautiful fight when it benefits both parties, not just Shelly Vincent. Heather is ready for her anytime.

Pattee Mak: Natasha Verma is currently directing a documentary about Hardy’s life. For Natasha, why film a boxing documentary on Heather Hardy?
Natasha Verma: When I first met Heather, I had no intentions of pursuing a film. It was her powerful story and work ethic that drew me in. I believed that completing a film on Hardy would bring new fans to the sport.

Pattee Mak: Tell me about the details of the documentary project. The length of the film, who else besides Hardy and Cormack is in the film, and where are most of the shoots filmed?

Natasha Verma: This is a feature length film. You should expect to see some power players in the boxing industry with top male and female fighters, all of which whom impact Heather’s life. The film takes place at Gleason’s Gym where Heather trains, her neighborhood and of course, in the ring. My crew has filmed in Brooklyn and around New York City.

Pattee Mak: What would you say boxing fans should expect to take from this documentary?

Natasha Verma: Boxing is an exciting sport, both inside the ring and out. Whether you are a boxing fan or not, I hope the viewer will appreciate the grueling physical conditioning and mental preparation that Heather goes through in order to fight. The film is a real-time, close look into the life of a female boxer.

Pattee Mak: Was there anything that you’ve learned while filming that you didn’t know about boxing?

Natasha Verma: Before I met Heather, I will admit that I didn’t follow boxing. Once I learned her story and her struggles as a single mother and provider, I was sold to the sport and now can’t get enough of it.

Pattee Mak: When did you start filming the documentary and how much more time will be needed to complete your project?

Natasha Verma: I began filming in August 2012 on my own and brought together a crew by April. We are nearing the end of production.

Pattee Mak: Women’s boxing isn’t as highly followed as men’s boxing. What could your film do that could sway more people to win them over to follow women’s boxing?

Natasha Verma: The public will learn that the storylines for many female boxers are great. Their fights are action packed. Many females now possess the same skill-set as their male counterparts. Heather is an all-action, come forward boxer. She continues to improve, but she is really exciting to watch. I have seen her fight three times. She really knows how to entertain the crowd and puts on a great show in the ring. The film shines a spotlight on Heather and introduces her to the world. Hopefully, boxing fans will look to support Heather after seeing the film. The film may encourage the public to follow other female boxers and inquire what their stories are.

Pattee Mak: For those that don’t know what happens after a documentary is completed. Can you share what the next steps are to actually have it air?

Verma: I will sit down with some investors and my advisors, and make a decision in the best interest of the project.

Pattee Mak: I just wanted to say thank you to each of you for taking the time to answer my questions. Heather Hardy, good luck on your next fight and the your documentary of your life, “Hardy,” sounds amazing. Natasha Verma, I’m looking forward to watching your final movie product. A special thanks to Lorin Chvotkin for making these interviews possible.



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