Heather Hardy Sues Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions for Over $10 Million Over 2023 Amanda Serrano Fight

Former boxing world champion Heather Hardy is suing Jake Paul and his company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), for over $10 million. Hardy claims the promotion contributed to her suffering permanent neurological injuries and ending her career during her 2023 fight against Amanda Serrano.

The 54-page lawsuit was filed on September 23, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Jake Paul, Valuable Promotions LLC, Holden Boxing LLC, and Bryce Holden are named as defendants.

The core of the lawsuit is Hardy’s August 5, 2023, rematch with Amanda Serrano in Dallas. Serrano won by unanimous decision in a fight where Hardy was largely outmatched. Hardy retired from boxing after this bout.

Hardy Claims Fight Was Unnecessary and Risky

Hardy’s legal filing states that the defendants placed her in a rematch with Serrano that she describes as "dangerous and unnecessary." She alleges they did so despite knowing about the risks stemming from her previous professional boxing injuries.

The lawsuit contends that the defendants knew or should have known the fight posed a foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm to Hardy.

Hardy had previously lost to Serrano in 2019. The 2023 rematch came after Hardy had already accumulated significant professional fight experience and suffered multiple losses.

The complaint also alleges that Hardy's long-time promoter, Lou DiBella, opposed the rematch due to safety concerns. Hardy claims others, including members of her training staff and Gleason's Gym founder Bruce Silverglade, also advised against the fight.

Hardy alleges she was facing financial difficulties, and MVP exploited this situation to secure the fight.

These allegations are part of Hardy's lawsuit and have not yet been proven in court.

Alleged Brain Injury

A key claim in the lawsuit is that the Serrano rematch led to permanent neurological damage for Hardy.

According to the filing, Hardy's health issues became more evident in early 2024 while she was preparing for a bare-knuckle fight. During light sparring, she reportedly experienced vision problems.

The lawsuit states an ophthalmologist later determined the vision issue originated from Hardy's brain.

Hardy has since retired from combat sports.

The complaint lists several alleged symptoms resulting from the injury, including traumatic brain injury, memory issues, double vision, anxiety, spatial confusion, and problems with perception and depth. Hardy also claims her condition makes it difficult to maintain steady employment.

Hardy has previously spoken about the financial and health challenges she has faced since leaving combat sports. She initiated a GoFundMe campaign detailing the effects of a traumatic brain injury and how it impacted her ability to work consistently.

Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act Claims

Hardy’s lawsuit includes claims beyond negligence.

She has brought five causes of action: gross negligence, negligent undertaking, negligence per se, ordinary negligence, and an alleged violation of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.

A significant portion of the complaint focuses on the promotional structure of the Paul-Diaz event, which featured the Serrano-Hardy fight.

The lawsuit acknowledges that Holden Boxing was the officially licensed promoter for the event. However, Hardy alleges that MVP exerted considerable control while using Holden Boxing as a nominal licensed promoter.

The complaint describes this arrangement as a way for MVP to gain the financial benefits of promoting without taking on the full regulatory responsibilities of being the licensed promoter.

MVP disputes this interpretation.

MVP Responds

Following the news of the lawsuit, MVP released a statement to ESPN. The company expressed sympathy for Hardy but denied the allegations regarding their handling of the fight.

“MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy,” the statement read, according to ESPN. MVP stated that Hardy’s participation was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, and that she was medically cleared by the event's overseeing athletic commission.

MVP also asserted that the fight occurred under the commission's authority and supervision, adhering to all relevant medical and safety requirements.

There is also documentation showing the fight received sanction approval. A WBO letter dated August 1, 2023, approved the Serrano-Hardy bout and indicated the event promoter was responsible for complying with health and safety protocols enforced by the Texas commission and other authorities.

Hardy Seeks Over $10 Million

Hardy is seeking more than $10 million in damages, plus legal costs and other relief. She also requests the court to implement measures aimed at preventing similar situations for other fighters.

The lawsuit references recent boxing incidents where fighters suffered severe injuries, presenting them as evidence of what Hardy claims is a broader issue with fighter safety.

These claims are part of Hardy's legal complaint and must be established through the judicial process.

The case is in its early stages. According to the federal court docket, the complaint was filed on September 23, and Hardy has requested a jury trial.

For Hardy, this lawsuit represents a major legal action against a prominent modern boxing promotion company. For MVP and Paul, it raises questions about a promotion's responsibility for fighter safety when bouts are conducted under the supervision of a licensed promoter and an athletic commission.

The court proceedings will ultimately determine if Hardy's allegations can be supported and whether MVP, Paul, or the other defendants will be held legally accountable for the injuries she claims resulted from the 2023 fight.