Former WBO featherweight champion Heather Hardy says her boxing career could be over after suffering “too much brain damage”.

Hardy is a veteran of combat sports, primarily competing in boxing prior to stepping into the world of mixed martial arts.

The 42-year-old has not fought since a unanimous points loss against undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano in August.

“I’ve had too many concussions,” Hardy wrote on Instagram., external

“When you have a concussion, a piece of your brain dies and you never get it back. Imagine that?

“In ten years I’ve had too much brain damage. I can’t get any more or else I won’t be able to see. No running, no jogging, no jumping rope, and no getting hit in the head.”

Hardy has not officially announced her retirement but confirmed she will not be making her Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC) debut on Saturday, 11 May.

She was due to be fighting BKFC flyweight champion Christine Ferea at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The American made her professional boxing debut in 2012 and held the WBO featherweight world title in 2018 before losing to Serrano the following year in their first bout.

She made her professional MMA debut at Bellator 180 against Alice Yauger in June 2017.

“I had to choose between my brain and my fight,” Hardy added in her post on social media. “So I’m blessed to be alive but gutted.

“I hadn’t told anyone how bad it was, not my boyfriend not my coaches.

“I thought I could make it through the ten-minute fight, but after a very light sparring session I couldn’t see for two days.

“I didn’t eat or sleep Friday to Monday, and I knew I was too weak to do this. After finally seeing a doctor, he said I’ve had too many concussions.”