NEW YORK -- A vacant WBO featherweight title will be on the line when Heather Hardy (21-0, 4 KOs) and Shelly Vincent (23-1, 1 KOs) meet on Oct. 27. It will be a rematch of their excellent and action packed 2016 fight and it will air on HBO. The fight also marks just the second time that HBO, a network now leaving the boxing business, will air a women's boxing match.
Hardy fights out of the orthodox stance and has displayed an excellent jab throughout her career. She really stays busy with that jab and follows it up nicely with an accurate straight right hand. While Hardy has the ability to use her legs and box from the outside, she often finds herself in the pocket exchanging leather. She's able to find success in the pocket, landing punches upstairs and to the body and her granite chin allows her to stay at close range. While she doesn't have much power she makes up for that with her volume of punches and fan-friendly style.
The first time Hardy fought Vincent was in 2016 in what was a great fight. The action was back and forth but Hardy got the better of it, winning by the way of majority decision. She also has two recent unanimous decision wins over Edina Kiss and has already fought once in 2018, beating Iranda Paola Torres. This will definitely be the biggest fight of Hardy's career though. Not only will it be her HBO debut but it will also be the first time she's fighting for a world title.
Vincent is also an orthodox fighter and a fighter who will be giving up a height and reach advantage to Hardy. Vincent, who goes by the nickname 'Shelito's Way,' uses her jab as a rangefinder for a hard right hand. She likes to mix things up and is the type of fighter who loves going to work on the inside where she can rough things up. Along with her right hand, Vincent also has a nice left hook, especially when she's throwing it to the body. Throughout her career she has shown a good chin and that chin allows her to sit inside and absorb punishment while dishing out plenty of her own.
The only loss of Vincent's career came in her first fight against Hardy. Outside of that loss she has been perfect and like Hardy, she also holds a win over Kiss. However, while Hardy beat Kiss twice by the way of unanimous decision, Vincent beat her by the way of majority decision in a much closer fight. This will also be a huge fight for Vincent, not just because she'll be appearing on HBO but also because she looks to enact revenge against the only woman to ever beat her.
Hardy deserves a lot of credit for this fight ending up on HBO. She really lobbied the network to air the fight and eventually they relented and listened to what she, and many fans wanted. Now it will be up to Hardy and Vincent to bring the action and if their first fight is any indicator than the rematch should be excellent. Look for Hardy to do the better work from the outside and catch Vincent cleanly with her jab. However, when the fight goes inside Hardy should be able to put in plenty of good work also. As for Vincent, she will probably look to really stay in the pocket where she can make things rough and look to surprise Hardy with short left hooks. Whenever a top female fighter enters the ring the spotlight is on them to perform, not just for their own career but also for the health of women's boxing and the spotlight will be bright on Hardy and Vincent come Saturday night.
PREDICTION: Heather Hardy beat Shelly Vincent in their first fight by the way of majority decision. One judge had it even while another had it a close fight and the third had it very wide for Hardy. It will be another good action fight but Hardy will have an easier time in their rematch and win this fight by the way of unanimous decision.
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| Hardy catching her opponent with a wicked uppercut |
The first time Hardy fought Vincent was in 2016 in what was a great fight. The action was back and forth but Hardy got the better of it, winning by the way of majority decision. She also has two recent unanimous decision wins over Edina Kiss and has already fought once in 2018, beating Iranda Paola Torres. This will definitely be the biggest fight of Hardy's career though. Not only will it be her HBO debut but it will also be the first time she's fighting for a world title.
Vincent is also an orthodox fighter and a fighter who will be giving up a height and reach advantage to Hardy. Vincent, who goes by the nickname 'Shelito's Way,' uses her jab as a rangefinder for a hard right hand. She likes to mix things up and is the type of fighter who loves going to work on the inside where she can rough things up. Along with her right hand, Vincent also has a nice left hook, especially when she's throwing it to the body. Throughout her career she has shown a good chin and that chin allows her to sit inside and absorb punishment while dishing out plenty of her own.
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| Vincent landing a hard left hook |
Hardy deserves a lot of credit for this fight ending up on HBO. She really lobbied the network to air the fight and eventually they relented and listened to what she, and many fans wanted. Now it will be up to Hardy and Vincent to bring the action and if their first fight is any indicator than the rematch should be excellent. Look for Hardy to do the better work from the outside and catch Vincent cleanly with her jab. However, when the fight goes inside Hardy should be able to put in plenty of good work also. As for Vincent, she will probably look to really stay in the pocket where she can make things rough and look to surprise Hardy with short left hooks. Whenever a top female fighter enters the ring the spotlight is on them to perform, not just for their own career but also for the health of women's boxing and the spotlight will be bright on Hardy and Vincent come Saturday night.
PREDICTION: Heather Hardy beat Shelly Vincent in their first fight by the way of majority decision. One judge had it even while another had it a close fight and the third had it very wide for Hardy. It will be another good action fight but Hardy will have an easier time in their rematch and win this fight by the way of unanimous decision.
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