Former champion sues Jake Paul and MVP for over $10 million! The case involves brain damage

Heather Hardy has filed a lawsuit against Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions. The former WBO world champion claims she suffered permanent brain damage following her fight with Amanda Serrano and is seeking more than $10 million from the defendants.

Hardy faced Amanda Serrano in August 2023 in Dallas and lost by unanimous decision. Today, the 44-year-old boxer says that the consequences of that fight are much more serious for her than initially thought.

The former WBO champion has filed a lawsuit in a Texas court. She accuses Jake Paul and MVP of, among other things, negligence and violating the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.

Hardy maintains that there may have been warning signs regarding her health even before the fight, which—in her opinion—were not properly addressed. Earlier this year, she also launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover her basic living expenses.

MVP Responds to Heather Hardy’s Allegations

After the story broke, Most Valuable Promotions issued a detailed statement to ESPN. The organization emphasized that it has great respect for Hardy and sympathizes with her current situation.

“MVP has the utmost respect for Heather Hardy. We recognize the difficulties of her current situation and offer her our sincere condolences, along with our hope that she will receive the care and support she deserves,” said representatives for MVP and Jake Paul.

Later in the statement, the organization noted that Hardy had been signed for the fight through her promoter, Lou DiBelli, and had undergone the required medical examinations.

– Heather’s participation in our event on August 5, 2023, was arranged by her promoter, Lou DiBella, who signed the contract for this fight. Heather publicly expressed her gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the bout. MVP followed all applicable procedures. Heather was medically cleared to compete by the sports commission overseeing the event, and the fight took place under its supervision and in accordance with standard safety and medical care requirements.

MVP also assured that player safety remains one of the organization’s top priorities.

– MVP remains committed to ensuring the safety of the athletes and supporting the athletes competing in our events, while fully complying with the commission’s standards.

As of now, Jake Paul has not issued a separate statement regarding Hardy’s lawsuit.

The former YouTuber and boxer hasn’t stepped into the ring since his TKO loss to Anthony Joshua last year. Now, however, his name is back in the spotlight—this time for legal reasons rather than athletic ones.