Greg Hardy, the former Dallas Cowboys defensive end who pivoted to combat sports, faced a critical moment in an exhibition boxing match in Vologda, Russia. Halfway through the fight against Evgeny Goncharov, Hardy collapsed due to a severe asthma attack leaving many questioning his future in the ring.
Hardy's struggle with asthma has been a recurring issue since his days in the NFL. During his time with the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys, asthma posed challenges during high-intensity periods. However, no incident previously reached the severity experienced in Russia. Asthma flared up just after the third round when Hardy bent over on his knees and grabbed the ring apron. He asked for an inhaler as medics quickly intervened to assist him.
Before anyone realized it, medics decided not to let the fourth round begin and focused on helping Hardy stay upright at ringside. Observers watched as a once-mighty athlete struggled for every breath and signaled that something had gone terribly wrong in the boxing ring.
Beyond the physical toll of sports, Hardy recently addressed personal controversies off-stage. His Instagram post aimed to settle rumors about an alleged family altercation back at home. "My family's perfectly fine," he assured fans while urging them to disregard speculation about his private life.
Hardy's current predicament suggests uncertainty over what comes next. The health scare alongside past legal troubles creates questions about how viable further professional competition can be for him now. A vivid memory lingers from Vologda: Greg Hardy kneeling and unable to breathe or continue fighting as medics stood by.
As news proceeded and he regained composure enough for discussions with doctors, many wonder if Greg Hardy will persist in combat sports despite challenges affecting both his personal health and public reputation.
