Photo by Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment
Incase you haven’t heard, Heather Hardy vs. Noemi Bosques is a big deal. Not just because Hardy is a well-known, ticket-selling Brooklyn native, but because a women’s bout is being featured on a huge Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) headliner, Amir Khan vs. Chris Algieri.
I am honored to write a preview and prediction for Hardy vs. Bosques, my first for a women’s boxing match. Last fall I wrote a piece titled “Boobs, Beasts, and Boxing,” which discussed the difficulties women boxers face getting the recognition, exposure and pay they deserve. In the ring they fight each other; outside the ring they combat society’s deep-rooted beliefs about their gender roles and sexualities.
The fight will not be part of the televised broadcast, but it will be streamed live on SpikeTV.com. I think the sport can do a lot better for them in this regard, but I do acknowledge that this is a big step for women’s boxing. If you’re in the know, you’ve already heard of Hardy who’s quite the attraction in the Brooklyn area. If you haven’t, know this: she’s tough, relentless and a gruesome pleasure to watch work in the ring.
Bosques is coming up north from St. Petersburg, Florida to face Hardy at the Barclays Center, a new hub for boxing showdowns. Bosques knows she’s the underdog, and she’s ready to prove herself. Let’s see if her slick style can give her the edge over Hardy, the undefeated fan-favorite.
