Heather Hardy Sues Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions for More Than $10 Million Over 2023 Amanda Serrano Fight
Former boxing world champion Heather Hardy has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $10 million in damages from Jake Paul, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), and other defendants, alleging that the promotion played a role in putting her into a fight that caused permanent neurological injuries and ultimately ended her career.
Hardy filed the 54-page complaint on September 23, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The defendants named in the case include Paul, Valuable Promotions LLC, Holden Boxing LLC and Bryce Holden.
The lawsuit centers on Hardy’s August 5, 2023 rematch with Amanda Serrano at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Serrano defeated Hardy by unanimous decision in a one-sided contest, with Hardy retiring from boxing afterward. The fight was promoted in connection with the Jake Paul-Nate Diaz event.
Hardy Alleges Fight Was Unnecessary and Dangerous
According to the complaint, Hardy alleges that the defendants placed her in what she describes as a “dangerous and unnecessary rematch” with Serrano despite allegedly knowing about the risks associated with Hardy’s previous damage from years of professional fighting.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants knew, or should have known, that the matchup presented a foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm.
Hardy had previously faced Serrano in 2019, losing by unanimous decision. The rematch came after Hardy had already accumulated substantial professional boxing experience and several losses.
The complaint further alleges that Hardy’s longtime promoter, Lou DiBella, did not want to arrange the rematch because of concerns about the fight’s safety. Hardy claims that other individuals, including members of her training team and Gleason’s Gym founder Bruce Silverglade, also opposed the matchup.
The lawsuit alleges that Hardy was experiencing financial difficulties and that MVP exploited her financial circumstances to get the fight made.
Those allegations remain claims made by Hardy in her lawsuit and have not been proven in court.
Alleged Brain Injury
One of the central issues in the lawsuit is Hardy’s claim that the Serrano rematch resulted in permanent neurological problems.
According to the complaint, Hardy’s problems became more apparent in early 2024 while she was preparing for a bare-knuckle fight. During light sparring, she reportedly experienced vision problems.
The lawsuit says an ophthalmologist subsequently determined that the problem originated in Hardy’s brain.
Hardy ultimately retired from combat sports.
The complaint attributes a number of alleged symptoms to the injury, including traumatic brain injury, memory problems, double vision, anxiety, spatial confusion and difficulties with perception and depth. Hardy also alleges that her condition has made maintaining regular employment difficult.
Hardy has previously spoken publicly about the financial and health difficulties she has faced since leaving combat sports. She launched a GoFundMe campaign describing the effects of a traumatic brain injury and its impact on her ability to work consistently.
Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act Allegations
Hardy’s lawsuit isn’t limited to negligence.
She brings five causes of action, including gross negligence, negligent undertaking, negligence per se, ordinary negligence and an alleged violation of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.
A significant part of the complaint concerns the structure of the promotion for the Paul-Diaz event.
The lawsuit acknowledges that Holden Boxing was the licensed promoter for the event. Hardy nevertheless alleges that MVP exercised significant control while using Holden Boxing as a separate licensed promoter.
The complaint characterizes that arrangement as a way for MVP to receive the financial benefits of promotion without formally assuming all of the regulatory responsibilities associated with being the licensed promoter.
MVP disputes Hardy’s characterization.
MVP Responds
Following news of the lawsuit, MVP issued a statement to ESPN expressing sympathy for Hardy while rejecting the allegations concerning its handling of the fight.
“MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy,” the company said, according to ESPN’s report. The promotion stated that Hardy’s participation was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, and that she was medically cleared by the athletic commission overseeing the event.
MVP also said the bout took place under the commission’s authority and supervision and in accordance with applicable medical and safety requirements.
There is also contemporaneous evidence that the fight received sanction approval. A WBO letter dated August 1, 2023, approved Serrano-Hardy and stated that the event’s promoter was responsible for compliance with applicable health and safety protocols enforced by the Texas commission and other relevant authorities.
Hardy Seeks More Than $10 Million
Hardy is seeking more than $10 million in damages, along with legal costs and additional relief. She is also asking the court to require measures intended to prevent similar situations involving other fighters.
The lawsuit cites other recent boxing incidents involving fighters who suffered serious injuries as examples of what Hardy alleges is a broader problem with fighter safety.
However, those allegations are part of Hardy’s complaint and will have to be established through the legal process.
The case is currently in its early stages. According to the federal docket, the complaint was filed September 23, and Hardy has demanded a jury trial.
For Hardy, the lawsuit represents a significant legal challenge against one of boxing’s most prominent modern promotional companies. For MVP and Paul, the case raises questions about the extent of a promotion’s responsibility for fighter safety when a bout is conducted under the authority of a licensed promoter and athletic commission.
The court proceedings will ultimately determine whether Hardy’s allegations can be substantiated and whether MVP, Paul or the other defendants can be held legally responsible for the injuries she alleges resulted from the 2023 fight.
