Just a few years ago, Ebanie Bridges was - with all due respect - a little-known power lifter in Australia who had hoped to make the transition to boxing. This weekend, she'll once again fight in front of thousands of fans cheering her on to defend her world title on the Josh Warrington vs Luis Alberto Lopez card.
Her dramatic rise has seen her gain hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, whilst becoming a fan favourite and a rather talented boxer. Growing up in New South Wales in Australia, Bridges had always been in to combat sports - training in Karate, Kickboxing and Muay Thai.
However, professional combat sports had not been legal for women in areas of Australia, including where Bridges had lived. Whilst being a talented mixed martial artists, she decided to switch to professional bodybuilding.
ALSO READ: Ebanie Bridges vs Shannon O'Connell fight time, TV channel and full card
It was around that time when in 2008, boxing and combat sports became legal for women, however, Bridges was well on her way to competing in bodybuilding as she'd go on to compete for eight years whilst winning numerous regional and state titles. At the age of 28, retired from bodybuilding she made the decision to transition to boxing. In just two years, she had 30 amateur fights, with an impressive 26-4 record, before deciding to go professional.
She won her first three fights in Australia comfortably, before travelling to the United States to face Crystal Hoy, winning comfortably on a points decision. Bridges would then fight in British soil for the first team, competing for the WBA bantamweight title after coming in on short notice, and fought valiantly on a Conor Benn undercard, but was defeated on points.
Since then though, Bridges has won her last three fights on British soil, and will now fight O'Connell to defend her IBF bantamweight title back in Leeds - a city close to her heart.
A huge Leeds United fan, Bridges has become known for her weigh-in attire. She has spoken openly on why she wears a thong to her boxing weigh-ins and confirms she'll do the same this week in Leeds ahead of her title fight.
Bridges took the boxing world by storm last year when she wowed fans across the world appearing for her weigh-in in a thong and bra. The 36-year-old quickly became a favourite and has now amassed over 500,000 followers on Instagram.
In response to her critics, Bridges told the Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast: "People love real - and I don't give a f***. I am who I am. I do what I want, I say what I want, I dress how I want and I want other people to do that. In the UK, people love others who work hard and I think people see that. I have a genuine appreciation for my fans, if it wasn't for my fans then I would not be here.
"When I was bodybuilding I used to always be on stage in my g-string, kind of like what I do on the boxing scales. I did that for 10 years, women's combat sports only became legal in 2008 and I was deep into my bodybuilding career - then I started boxing after finishing that, I wanted to give it a crack."
On wearing a thong on stage, she said: "Don't watch my weigh-ins if you don't like it. I don't really care to be honest, because I am not going to change. I love weigh in dates, it's a cool day and it's the start towards the fight. I have a lot of fun."
READ NEXT:
- Leeds United player ratings as Joel Robles spares blushes before Mateusz Klich curler
- Elche vs Leeds United highlights as Gelhardt and Klich goals win game but injuries dominate
- Leeds United fears emerge as Crysencio Summerville hobbles off during Elche clash
- Cody Drameh training at a new level for Leeds United with a clear head as transfer window nears
- Adam Forshaw opens up on Jesse Marsch chats behind fresh attempt to curb Leeds United injuries
