Billy Hardy (born 5 September 1964 in Sunderland) is a former bantamweight and featherweight boxer champion. He held the British championship at bantamweight and featherweight, as well as the European and Commonwealth featherweight titles.

The Billy Hardy Sports Centre, in Castletown, Sunderland bears his name.

He started boxing when he was six or seven, at the Hylton Castle Boys Club. He was an aggressive boxer who liked to come forward and take the fight to his opponent.

Being a dedicated fan of Sunderland Football Club, Hardy normally fought wearing red and white striped shorts, the club colours.

He had his first professional fight in November 1983, beating Kevin Downer on points over six rounds at Eltham, Kent.

He built up a record of thirteen wins and three defeats before fighting for the British bantamweight title against the holder Ray Gilbody. The title fight was in February 1987 in St Helens and Hardy took the title when the fight was stopped in the fourth, Gilbody having been down four times.

In March 1988, he defended his British title against John Hyland in his hometown of Sunderland, knocking the challenger out in the second round.

In November 1988, he fought the Italian, Vincenzo Belcastro for the European bantamweight title. The fight was in Paola, Italy and Hardy lost a narrow points decision after twelve rounds.