Manhattan Project II: Heather “The Heat” Hardy vs Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano
By David A. Avila
When the Manhattan Project was secretly organized it led to the eventual construction of the first nuclear bomb. Prepare for Manhattan Project 2 and this version could lead to an explosion of epic female proportions when WBO featherweight titlist Heather “The Heat” Hardy fights Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano.
And it’s right in the heart of New York City.
Both Hardy (22-0, 4 KOs) and Serrano (36-1-1, 27 KOs) live in Brooklyn but for this meeting they moved it across the bridge to Madison Square Garden Theater on Friday Sept. 13. DAZN will stream the DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom Boxing card live.
It’s a match that has been percolating for years.
“In excitement and recognition it’s the very best,” said Serrano when asked where this fight ranks in terms of anticipation. “It’s at home in New York against a legitimate champion Heather who beat Shelito Vincent and now defending against me. It’s as legitimate as can be.”
While Serrano was collecting world title belts from super flyweight to super lightweight, Hardy was knocking off featherweights one by one and capping her trek with the WBO title in the same historic venue last year. Ironically, Serrano a fighter of Puerto Rican descent, formerly held the same title as did her older sister Cindy Serrano. But now it’s in the grips of the fiery Irish American and she doesn’t want to let it go.
“I’m pretty hype since were both from New York and have a similar fan base,” said Hardy. “Even the other girl pros are hyped.”
On Friday it’s Irish versus Puerto Rican, where have I seen this combustible mixture before?
It’s not a replay of the Westside Story but you can’t keep it cool boy, real cool. These are two fighters that have crossed paths in gyms and exchanged punches before. They have had their eye on each other for years.
“We sparred about four times before,” said Amanda Serrano. “She’s always been tough.”
Hardy was always the gritty fighter who seemed to fight with a chip on her shoulder. Maybe because she’s a mother with a teen daughter. It’s not often you find moms who are prizefighters with a world title belt wrapped around their waist and an apron hidden underneath.
You got to be pretty slick to handle that.
Think of what it’s like to be the daughter and arrive home after curfew. A left hook could be waiting for you around the corner. And if you backtalk, watch out for those counter rights.
That’s how you keep sharp.
On the other side you have Amanda Serrano who grew up idolizing her big sister Cindy Serrano and would sit in the gym as a youngster and watch big sis put on the gloves and fight anybody who asked.
She also grew up knowing that Puerto Rico was a haven for boxing whether on the island or in the mainland. She knows the history of Puerto Rican fighters like Carlos Ortiz, Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfredo Benitez, Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto. She knew it so well she decided to insert her own name above them all by winning more world titles in more divisions than any other Puerto Rican fighter in history.
In fact, only one man of any nationality claims more division world titles and his name is Manny Pacquiao who has eight division world titles.
Both Brooklyn fighters have endured the struggles of being a female prizefighter and being paid back with food stamp wages. It’s been rumored that both will be receiving well above $70,000 each for this fight.
It hardly equals what the men receive but far above what they had received in years past.
Turning Point
Hardy was a pivotal figure in the women’s prizefighting catching the attention of television networks when she first fought Shelly Vincent three years ago. That clash convinced network executives that women could be more than gritty but entertaining in the prize ring. On that day they out-performed all of the men’s bouts that participated on that August 21, 2016 afternoon on Coney Island.
Serrano showed that women could win by knockout despite the two-minute round restrictions. Can you imagine if all female fights were three-minute rounds? The left-handed Boricua would probably have won all of her fights via concussion. But she can also box and has a technical style that utilizes her speed and power.
“I respect her for taking the fight,” said Serrano. “Won’t take her lightly and I’ll treat her as if she’s the hardest hitting fighter I’ve been in with.”
Hardy on the other hand has subtly added layer upon layer to her fighting arsenal with defense being a critical addition. She showcased it in her last fight, a rematch with Vincent where she was able to hit and not get hit in a world title winning performance.
“I’m ready to shock the world,” Hardy said.
For years you had to live in the New York City vicinity to watch either fighter perform. This time the world can witness what only New Yorkers could enjoy. It’s going to be a treat for followers of women’s prizefighting.
Don’t go by their looks. Though Hardy can resemble a high maintenance hipster-like Manhattanite and Serrano a similar non-lethal persona, they are like two passive chemical when mixed together provide nitroglycerine.
It will be explosive.
“The ladies have stolen this promotion; I won’t be surprised when they steal the show,” said Lou DiBella head of DiBella Entertainment.
Indeed.
(Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing)