Looking Back at Ebanie “Blonde Bomber” Bridges and More Fight News
By David A. Avila
(Photo by Al Applerose)
IBF bantamweight champion Ebanie “Blonde Bomber” Bridges’ win could lead to more exciting match ups in 2023 for 118-pounders. It’s one of the more loaded weight divisions in the sport.
Just across the channel in Denmark lives Dina Thorslund the WBO bantamweight titlist and in Mexico resides Yulihan Luna Avila the WBC titlist. And, in England, newly crowned Nina Hughes recently captured the WBA title. All four have different styles and make for a compelling quasi-tournament.
Immediately after Bridges win, the possibility of unification matches was brought up. Matchroom Boxing’s promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to address the question.
“She can really fight,” said Hearn. “I really feel she deserves to be undisputed. She deserves the credit.”
Bridges journey toward substantiation of her skills and determination have created a mega fight scenario that could sell out arenas in Australia, Mexico, Denmark or England. She has created that kind of selling power. She is the straw the stirs the drink.
It’s a very interesting unification scenario.
The fiery Aussie has also opened up the door to other fighters from her country like Skye Nicolson who has immediately captured interest too. Like Bridges, she has that mixture of looks and skill that fans cannot ignore.
Hearn is smart enough to spot it.
Hopefully, Matchroom Boxing can arrange unification bouts in a single show where fans can see the different champions clash all at once.
Looking back at the fight last Saturday, once again Bridges dispelled any notion that her success has been the result of luck. Her self-described “Mexican style” of fighting mowed down the challenge of veteran Shannon O’Connell.
“The key to my victory was that I was better all around. I put all that hatred in my back pocket and I saved it. Because I’m not going to waste all that energy being angry,” said Bridges. “I told my team lets go and break hearts and take her friggin soul.”
It was a complete victory.
“Another key to my victory is that I’m just a real student of the sport. Even though I’m less experienced I have a lot more experience and knowledge and IQ than Shannon had,” Bridges added. “I was smarter and had a better corner. I knew I had the right tactics.”
As for any future unification bouts with the other bantamweight champions.
“I think the other bantamweight champions are great. They are better than Shannon. I think they are good, but I think I am better,” said Bridges. “I will be undisputed, but they are all going to be good fights.”
Norway’s queen returns
Former undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus returns to the prize ring this Saturday Dec. 17, and faces Argentina’s Marisa Portillo in a lightweight match at Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. Golden Boy Promotions is staging the fight card. DAZN will stream.
Braekhus, 41, last fought in March 2021, almost two years ago, when she was defeated by Jessica McCaskill a second time in Dallas, Texas. She will be fighting Portillo who has fought mostly in the lightweight division.
It will be interesting to see if Braekhus has retained any of her considerable fighting skills.
South Africa
Problems arose in South Africa for a boxing card that was going to feature Maricela Cornejo versus Mapule Ngubane for a regional middleweight title. The Sunday fight card was postponed and no date has been settled. Meanwhile, the fighters and those involved are waiting in that country for a firm date.
It’s a very strange scenario.
Nancy Rodriguez, who advises Cornejo, has been reporting on the business matter including the serious problem of fighters trying to maintain proper weight.
Yokasta
Newly crowned WBO light flyweight titlist Yokasta Valle decided to relinquish the title to pursue undisputed status as minimumweight world world champion, her co-promoters Golden Boy Promotions and MarvNation Promotions said last week.
“Our team had a clear objective to unify titles in the 105-pound division,” said Valle. “We were given the opportunity to go up to the 108-pound division and we decided to take it. However, we know in our hearts what we want to do – plus Seniesa Estrada said no one wanted to fight her. So, I have decided to stay in the 105-pound division so I can prove her wrong and give her a real fight in her career.”
More Fight News
Australia
Connie Chan (3-3) defeated Kaitlyn Lodge (1-2) by split decision after eight rounds on Saturday Dec. 10. The super welterweight bout took place at Surfer’s Paradise.
Stephanie Mfongwot (2-2) defeated Millicent Agboegbulen (1-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday Dec. 9. The middleweight fight took place at Flemington.
Canada
On Friday Dec. 16, super welterweights Mary Spencer (7-0) and Femke Hermans (13-4) meet 10 rounds for the IBO title at Shawinigan. Also, super featherweights Leila Beaudoin (7-0) and Valgerdur Gudstensdottir (5-3) meet six rounds.
On Sunday Dec. 18, super bantamweights Amanda Galle (6-0-1) and Luz Martinez (6-4) meet eight rounds at Toronto.
Colombia
Stevie Morgan (5-0) knocked out Diana Cotrino (0-4) in the fourth round on Saturday Dec. 10. The lightweight bout took place at Medellin. Also, Simona Sarpa (1-1) knocked out Sasthy Ramirez (0-2) in round one of a super flyweight bout; and super middleweight Yelianyi Fernandez (1-0) beat Daylin Mata (0-1).
France
Licia Boudersa (18-1-2) defeated Tijana Draskovic (1-4) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Dec. 10. The featherweight bout took place at Lille.
On Saturday Dec. 17, bantamweights Melina Ainaoui (1-0) and Clothilde Del Ben (3-1) meet eight rounds at Nantes. Also, super welterweights Sandy Meunier (4-0) and Marija Zivkovic (1-10-1) meet four rounds.
Germany
Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Rocio Gaspar (12-2) on Saturday Dec. 10. The WBC minimumweight title fight was held at Heilbronn. It was her fourth title defense.
Edda Essaoudi (4-0-1) and Klaudia Vigh (3-39-2) fought to a draw after four rounds on Saturday Dec. 10. The featherweight bout took place at Dorsten.
On Saturday Dec. 17, lightweights Natalie Zimmerman (9-0) and Tereza Dvorakova (4-8) meet eight rounds at Goeppingen.
On Saturday Dec. 17, super welterweights Hanna Hansen (6-0) and Kholosa Ndobayini (15-13) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Darmstadt.
Guatemala
On Saturday Dec. 17, light flyweights Maria Santizo (10-2) and Arlenn Sanchez (4-3-2) meet eight rounds at Guatemala City.
Japan
Sazanami Balu (1-0) beat Aira Balboa (0-1) by decision on Monday Dec. 12. The minimumweight fight was held in Tokyo.
Chihiro Takagi (1-0-1) beat Megaton Marina (0-1-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday Dec. 11. The bantamweight fight was held at Kariya.
Noa Sakamoto (3-0) won by decision after four rounds against Arika Shimono (0-3) on Sunday Dec. 11. The atomweight fight was held in Osaka.
Tsunami Tenkai (29-13-1) knocked out Yumi Narita (6-5-3) in the 10th round on Friday Dec. 9. The WBO light flyweight elimination bout took place at Tokyo.
On Sunday Dec. 18, atomweights Natsuki Tarui (4-10-2) and Minayo Kei (7-5) meet six rounds at Osaka.
Kazakhstan
Angelina Lukas (3-0) won by technical knockout over Lulu Kayage (8-9-4) in the second round on Sunday Dec. 11. The super flyweight regional title fight took place at Almaty.
Mexico
On Saturday Dec. 17, super lightweights Czarina McCoy (10-1) and Monica Henao (5-2-5) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Colima.
New Zealand
Alrei Meleisea (6-1-1) defeated Sequita Hemingway (1-2) by decision after eight rounds on Friday Dec. 9. The heavyweight bout took place at Auckland.
Nicaragua
Eveling Ortega (5-4) was the winner by decision after four rounds versus Susana Panameno (2-1) on Friday Dec. 9. The light flyweight bout took place at Managua.
Panama
On Saturday Dec. 17, featherweights Tereza Almengor (8-1-2) and Yacksury Gordon (3-5-2) meet six rounds at David.
Russia
On Saturday Dec. 17, super featherweights Anna Krasnoperova (7-0) and Yulia Kutsenko (9-3-1) meet six rounds at Moscow.
Slovakia
On Saturday Dec. 17, featherweights Nikola Izova (0-0-1) and Maria Domeova (0-5) meet four rounds at Klin.
South Africa
Ellen Simwaka (12-5-2) knocked out Asandiswa Nxokwana (7-5-2) in the second round on Friday Dec. 9. The bantamweight fight was held at Johannesburg.
On Thursday Dec. 15, middleweights Maricela Cornejo (15-5) and Mapule Ngubane (10-8-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Durban.
Thailand
Viviana Ruiz (6-1) knocked out Phanit Yongyut (1-1) in the second round on Sunday Dec. 11. The flyweight match was held at Pathum Thani. Other results: Pattawaran Thaosuwan (6-1) knocked out Kirada Saksitsakul (0-2) in two rounds of a super bantamweight fight; Arisara Wisetwongsa knocked out Ratchanee Boonme (0-1) in the third of a flyweight bout; and light flyweight Pimchanok Thepjanda (2-1) beat Saengdaw Charam (0-2) by decision.
Nitinart Plabplerng (3-0) knocked out Nichakan Komkam (0-1) in the third round on Saturday Dec. 10. The light flyweight bout took place at Bangkok. Other results: Ploypailin Palatsrichuai (2-2) beat Panida Chatluang (4-6) in a flyweight bout; Suphattra Aunreaun (1-0) knocked out Tassana Paladsrichuay (4-11) in the second round; Suwanan Akapunya (1-0) knocked out Thamonwan Phiokhao (0-5) in the second round in a flyweight bout.
Nillada Meekoon (5-0) knocked out Yunko Su (0-1) in the third round on Wednesday Dec. 7. The light flyweight bout took place at Bang Phli.
United Kingdom
Ellie Hellewell (1-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Beccy Ferguson (2-9) on Sunday Dec. 11. The lightweight bout took place at Rotherham, England. Also, Jade Grierson (1-0) beat Ester Konecna (2-20-1) by knockout in the second round of a super welterweight fight.
Ebanie Bridges (9-1) won by knockout in the eighth round over Shannon O’Connell (23-7-1) on Saturday Dec. 10. The IBF bantamweight title match was held in Leeds, England. Also, Shannon Courtenay (8-2) beat Gemma Ruegg (5-6) by decision after eight rounds in a featherweight bout; and lightweight Rhiannon Dixon (7-0) beat Kristine Shergold (7-7-1) by decision after eight rounds.
Vaida Masiokaite (4-18-5) beat Amy Greatorex (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Friday Dec. 9. The lightweight contest was held at Barnsley, England.
On Saturday Dec. 17, lightweights Carolina Dubois (4-0) and Sofia Rodriguez (5-7) meet six rounds at Bournemouth, England.
USA
Kalliopi Kourouni (12-3-1) and Calista Silgado (21-16-4) fought to a draw after 10 rounds on Sunday Dec. 11. The super featherweight regional title match was held in Orlando, Florida.
Cris Cyborg (1-0) beat Gabrielle Holloway (0-3) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Dec. 10. The super welterweight bout took place in Omaha, Nebraska.’
Alexis Araiza (0-0-1) and Devany Torres (2-2-1) fought to a draw after four rounds on Saturday Dec. 10. The super flyweight bout took place in Philadelphia, Penn.
On Saturday Dec. 17, super welterweights Cecilia Braekhus (36-2) and Marisa Portillo (19-15-3) meet eight rounds at Commerce, Calif.