Ebanie Bridges used her opponent's "skanky stripper" dig to salute her performance following her latest win.
Bridges has become one of the most recognisable profiles in boxing on domestic shores, and was putting her IBF bantamweight title on the line against Shannon O'Connell at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. The pair had gone back and forth in some nasty verbal exchanges during the fight build-up with Bridges criticised for her new partnership with OnlyFans by her opponent.
However, Bridges managed to show her superiority in the ring, crushing her opponent to the canvas in the third round en route to an eight round stoppage victory. After retaining her title, Bridges saluted her rival's performance but refused to forgive and forget the comments made prior to the opening bell.
She shouted in her post-fight interview: “You know what not bad for a skanky stripper. I like tough fights and I am a world champion. She came to fight but I am better, I am not usually disrespectful but she was so horrible.”
“Not that badly hurt, I came back and this is boxing we are going to hit hard. I got the win so I am very satisfied. I hope Australia is proud and you know who is the queen of Australian boxing.
“This was the night I wanted. Winning a world title is easy and keeping it is the hard part. I haven’t fought for nine months. Thank you guys and to everyone has supported me. Team skanky stripper forever.”
Bridges has now set up some potential huge unification clashes in 2023 which could include Dina Thorslund who has called for the clash on several occasions this year. The 'Blonde Bomber' has faced criticism from her opponent for her choice of outfits to the pre-fight weigh-in which has attracted the attention of many.
What did you make of Ebanie Bridges' performance tonight? Let us know in the comments section below
O'Connell had pointed out her rival's no-nonsense takes on life prior to the first bell branding her a "skanky stripper" which heated up the contest. But the Australian had stated she was unconcerned with haters to her profile, and pointed out some of the successes of other fighters including Floyd Mayweather.
She said on the Main Event Boxing Podcast : “The skanky stripper thing - I'm gonna get shirts made up that say 'skanky stripper',” she said. “I wonder how you're gonna explain that you got beat by a skanky stripper that doesn't take the sport seriously?' No matter what - look at (Floyd) Mayweather, he's incredible, he still has so many haters.
"Everyone has haters. Canelo has haters. Clarissa Shields has haters. Some people just hate. The real people, the people that understand boxing, that know boxing, that don't have some personal vendetta ... they can see the truth of me, they can see what I've done and what I am, and that's all that matters."
