Heather Hardy Gets W Over Vincent in Terrific Rumble

The whole damned joint was on their feet during a frenetic tenth and final round, and stayed that way as they waited til the cards were tabulated after the Heather Hardy versus Shelly Vincent rumble on Sunday night in Coney Island.

Yes, a point was proven. People will watch women’s boxing in America and will enjoy the action. Of that, there was a bounty at the Ford Amphitheater; Hardy was the busier boxer in an all action fight, and won a majority decision with a smart jab and movement being keys to the victory.

(Pic of happy Hardy by Marilyn Paulino, da ace)

Vincent felt she won and both can feel that way, from the perspective that a rematch is almost a given and for certain, it will be placed on a more prominent card slot with correspondingly higher purses.

One judge had it even, one saw it a wide 97-91 and the other 97-94.

Here are quotes from the hitters, both of whom more than delivered after talking a good game in the leadup.

HEATHER HARDY

“This is definitely a win for women’s boxing. We had great pace throughout and kept the fans invested the whole time.

“I thought I won pretty convincingly. She only really caught me a few times the whole fight. I knew that I had to be tactical to win the fight.

“The nerves were there at the beginning. It was like Christmas Eve times ten for me.

“Every time she crowded me she would get off more punches. I wanted to keep the fight from the outside and when I did that I had a lot of success.”

SHELLY VINCENT

“I was the aggressor. I was coming forward and I landed the bigger shots. Everyone saw the fight.

“I definitely thought I won the fight. I landed the cleaner shots and went to get her. I got headbutted all night long.

“I came here and everybody told me I’d get robbed. I’ll take the rematch but I’m not playing by these rules. I want her to come up to Providence