Ebanie Bridges: Unfinished Business

Ebanie Bridges: Unfinished Business

Ebanie Bridges knows she is at the tail end of her boxing career. Bridges will turn 40 in September. The clock is ticking. And loudly. But there are remnants of unfinished business. A few little things to achieve before the retirement call comes. One more run at trying to become a world champion once again. But there is also an old rival, and a chance to put right a defeat that she has always disputed. Boxing just has to work the way it should. Easier said than done.

Bridges won’t be part of the upcoming MVP Birmingham card. Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron will headline. A potential fight of the year contender. It is unlikely to disappoint. Bridges could have been in Birmingham. That old rival could have been in the opposite corner. A missed opportunity. For everyone.

Ebanie Bridges vs. Shannon Courtenay is still unfinished business. Money left on the table. They have both had mixed fortunes since that titanic first meeting in 2021. Courtenay edged it and claimed the vacant WBA world bantamweight title. The gruesome eye injury Bridges received was almost certainly the difference on the night. Both had their moments in a mini-classic. The fight was good. In truth, it was very good. Steve Bunce said, “It might have been the best women’s fight we’ve ever seen in this country.” It seemed inevitable that the two bitter rivals would meet again.

They were once both signed to Matchroom. When Bridges claimed the IBF world title in 2022, Courtney was ringside on commentary duties and was on the comeback trail after losing her WBA bauble a few months earlier. Bridges stopped Shannon O’Connell in her first defence at the back end of 2022. Courtenay won on the undercard. The stars were seemingly aligning for Bridges and Courtenay to run it back. But Bridges finally had surgery on a lingering hand injury, and when she did return, she, too lost her world title; hopes of the rematch were diminishing. Bridges and Courtenay then went their separate ways.

But those hopes were raised when both Courtenay and Bridges signed with Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions. The two have had varying fortunes since their first fight. But Courtenay is now on a three-fight win streak, and Bridges has managed to get back in the win column a few months back with a points victory over Ebonie Cotton. But time is running out. The time might be now. The clock won’t wait much longer.

But Shannon Courtenay isn’t the only option for the Australian. Cherneka Johnson defends her unfurnished world bantamweight titles against the former undisputed queen Dina Thorslund next month. Bridges has made no secret of her desire to face the winner. It could happen. Stranger things have happened. If Johnson wins, it becomes a little more likely.

The remaining fights for Bridges will be all about that tagline, unfinished business. Fights that mean something to her and to her sport. MVP have done so much for women’s boxing in recent times. Their commitment and investment can’t be questioned. But if they sign someone like Bridges, then they should do something with her. Something meaningful.

Ebanie Bridges vs. Shannon Courtenay makes sense. Probably, too much sense. Both fighters seemingly want it. The money has to be right, of course, they both need to be paid their worth. But there is no apparent reason why it shouldn’t get signed, sealed, and delivered.