Former boxing champion Heather Hardy has filed a lawsuit against Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions for their roles in forming a rematch against Amanda Serrano.
The complaint filed on Sept. 23 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas also names Holden Boxing and promoter Bryce Holden, alleging that the defendants violated the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act by improperly negotiating her 2023 rematch with Serrano, which contributed to permanent neurological injuries. The lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages.
According to the complaint obtained by MMA Junkie, Hardy alleges that Paul and MVP knowingly placed her in a "dangerous and unnecessary" rematch against Serrano, despite clear pushback from her camp, including
her longtime promoter, Lou DiBella. According to the complaint, MVP still pursued the rematch, which took place Aug. 5, 2023 at American Airlines Arena in Dallas on the undercard of Paul vs. Nate Diaz.
"In or around April 2023, Hardy believed she was communicating directly with Serrano about a potential rematch and understood those discussions to be part of an ordinary, legitimate negotiation process between opposing sides," the complaint states. "Based on the information presented to her, Hardy believed she was texting Serrano. These communications reflected Serrano’s position that it would be a balanced and fair matchup and her general interest in the bout. In reality, Hardy was communicating via text message with Jordan Maldonado (“Maldonado”), Serrano’s trainer and brother-in-law who worked directly with MVP.
"When Heather brought this rematch idea to Lou DiBella, he balked. It was not an even match, and DiBella strongly advised Heather against it. This did not stop MVP. After DiBella openly refused to participate in negotiations due to safety concerns for Hardy, MVP continued to arrange the fight through Maldonado. DiBella was not alone in opposing the bout. Hardy’s trainers, friends (like Bruce Silverglade), and her co-promoter (Larry Goldberg) likewise expressed serious concerns about the proposed rematch. They collectively and unanimously opposed her participation because of the clear competitive imbalance and the risks it presented."
The complaint states that Hardy did not learn about the potential wrongdoing in negotiating the Serrano rematch until her counsel began an investigation in March. Hardy's legal team says Paul and MVP wanted the Serrano rematch to continue building their fighter's name while ignoring Hardy's health risks.
"No one was clamoring for this rematch," the complaint states. "The only one truly interested in this fight was Jake Paul, who could use Heather’s body as a sacrifice for Serrano, a new addition to his stable of women he would profit handsomely from representing. The 2023 Serrano vs. Hardy bout was not a fight; it was an execution. Heather took 278 punches from Serrano, including 242 within a 20-minute span.50 After ten rounds, Heather lost the match—by decision, not by knockout. The fight was a difficult watch: Heather, crying in the ring after taking repeated blows to the head, barely made it to the end of the fight."
Hardy alleges that the rematch led to permanent neurological damage. According to the filing, Hardy began experiencing vision problems after the fight while training for a bareknuckle fight, which would have taken place under the BKFC banner against Christine Ferea in May 2024. After receiving medical attention, Hardy's doctor concluded that the Serrano rematch was the "tipping point" for her permanent damage.
"Today, Heather’s formal diagnoses include a personal history of traumatic brain injury, changes in vision, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), post-concussion syndrome, severe recurrent major depressive disorder, psychophysiological insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and alcohol use disorder," the filing states. "This secret lasting neurological damage was Heather’s true prize while she generated substantial revenue for Jake Paul."
In a statement to ESPN, MVP responded to the complaint.
"MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy," MVP said in a statement to ESPN. "We recognize the difficulty of her circumstances and extend our sincere sympathy and hope that she receives the care and support she deserves.
"Heather's participation on our August 5, 2023 card was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, who contracted for the fight, and Heather publicly expressed her gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the fight. MVP followed applicable protocols for the fight, Heather was medically cleared to compete by the athletic commission overseeing the event, and the bout proceeded under the commission's authority and supervision in accordance with their standard medical and safety requirements. MVP remains committed to fighter safety and supporting the athletes who compete in our events in full compliance with commission standards."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Heather Hardy files $10 million lawsuit against Jake Paul, Most Valuable Promotions
