Ebanie Bridges thanked the city of Leeds and then declared her devastating performance against Shannon O'Connell as "not bad for a skanky stripper." Bridges was making reference to criticism from her fellow Australian O'Connell in the build-up to their IBF bantamweight world title fight at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Bridges has received criticism in the boxing fraternity in the past for her social media persona, Only Fans account and colourful past before becoming a professional boxer just four years ago, but she looked every bit a worthy world champion in stopping O'Connell.
Bridges successfully defended her IBF bantamweight title with a decisive eighth-round stoppage, defending her belt for the first time in defeating fellow Australian O'Connell, and did so in front of the same crowd when she won the belt - on the same night as Warrington defeated Spaniard Kiko Martinez in March.
The Blonde Bomber had O'Connell on the ropes on a number of occasions, and looked to have her opponent hurt throughout the fight.
O'Connell gave as good as she got, though, and landed some big counter shots of her own as she looked for the upset in front of Bridges' now home town fans.
But in the eight round, Bridges' onslaught was too much and referee Howard Foster called it. There was no love lost between the two Australians, with Bridges having a few words for her in her post fight interview.
"Not bad for a skanky stripper I must say. It was great because those are the kind of fights I like. I am a world champion and I don't want easy fights, " said Bridges.
"She came to fight and was fierce but I am just better and that is why I am the world champ. I'm not usually disrespectful to my opponents but she's been disrespectful to me the whole time so I can't give her any respect. Thank you Leeds. I love you guys."
