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Hayden Panettiereand boyfriend Brian Hickerson are going strong.
The couple attended the Heavyweight Championship of the World boxing match between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury in Los Angeles over the weekend.
The 29-year-oldNashvilleactress and Hickerson smiled as they posed for photos together.
Earlier this month, Hickerson, an aspiring actor, defended their romance following areportthat claimed Panettiere’s friends were worried about the couple’s relationship.
“Just to be clear, Hayden’s friends and family are not worried about her at all,” Hickerson said in a statement toAccess.
“Hayden is happy and healthy and so is our relationship,” the South Carolina native continued. “That is all I will comment on so please respect my privacy. Have a great day.”
The rumor came weeks after Panettiere, Hickerson and his father were allreportedly involved in a disputein October.
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The pair werefirst linked in Augustwhen they were seen grabbing dinner together in Los Angeles shortly after reports circulated that the actress and Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares 3½-year-old daughter Kaya, hadsplit.
At the time, a source told PEOPLE their relationship was nothing serious just yet.
“He is hot, but Hayden is in the midst of making decisions about what she wants to do next and needs a break from routine,” the source said. “She’s a young, beautiful girl who is allowed to have a good time. That’s what she’s doing.”
A second source also told PEOPLE that Panettiere wasn’t looking to settle down, instead enjoying some downtime since her CMT seriesNashvilleconcluded after six seasons.
“She’s a mom and when there’s a break she would be crazy not to let loose and have fun,” the source said. “Don’t expect another heavy relationship now. She still cares for Wlad and loves her daughter.”
But in October, the pair took their relationship to the next level when they were spotted holding hands during an afternoon stroll in Florida, where theyvisited her family, according toE! News.
source: people.com
