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EXCLUSIVE: Australian boxer Ebanie Bridges honored with top prize, reveals extent of gruesome surgery that required her hand and hip bones to be fused together after world title fight
- Australian boxing world champion Ebanie Bridges receives top award
- Sports Illustrated named Bridges as the best female boxer of the year
- Bridges told Daily Mail Australia that the award is a great personal achievement. achievement
- The champion is recovering from hand surgery after defending the world title.
After an incredible year in which she won and defended a world title and built a brand based on beauty, boxing skills and jokes, Ebanie Bridges has been recognized with a major award from a prestigious publication.
The former Sydney maths teacher emerged as a bona fide star in 2022 with a resounding victory over Maria Cecilia Roman to capture the IBF bantamweight title.
Bridges then capped off the year by ending his war of words with compatriot Shannon O’Connell and retaining the title with a brutal eighth-round knockout victory in Leeds, England.
After an incredible year in which she won and defended a world title and built a brand built on beauty, boxing skills and jokes, Ebanie Bridges (pictured) has been recognized with a major award by Sports Illustrated.
Bridges then capped off the year by ending his war of words with compatriot Shannon O’Connell and retaining the title with a brutal eighth-round knockout victory in Leeds, England.
The Blonde Bombers’ unapologetic mentality, charming sense of humor and controversial weigh-in undergarment also earned them legions of fans and followers on social media.
Sports Illustrated awarded Bridges the Women’s Outstanding Boxer of the Year award, with resident boxing pundit Chris Mannix saying ‘[Bridges] she has shown that she is more than just an attraction, finishing ’22 as arguably the best fighter in the 118-pound division.’
The Blonde Bombers’ unapologetic mentality, charming sense of humor and controversial weigh-in undergarment also earned them legions of fans and followers on social media.
Bridges was delighted at the recognition from the prestigious sports magazine and told Daily Mail Australia it was a dream come true.
“To be mentioned and recognized by Sports Illustrated, one of the most recognized sports magazines in the world, is huge for me,” said Bridges.
“I feel very proud and I think it’s a box ticked for me as a personal achievement.”
The world champion is currently recovering from surgery, after revealing that she broke her hand before her world title showdown with arch-rival Shannon O’Connell.
Bridges’ hand pictured after the championship match with Shannon O’Connell
Bridges shared gruesome photos of the surgery on his right hand
Bridges revealed that her hip, where the bone was removed, has been causing her the most pain.
Bridges was so sure she would win, she leaned in to get the job done with one hand, then said there was no way she was going to retire.
The Australian underwent surgery on her hand shortly after the fight and said she would need time off to recover.
“The surgery went well,” Bridges told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday morning. ‘My hand is fine.’
“My hip has actually been giving me the most grief and pain. That’s where they took part of my bone to fuse the joints in my hand.
Bridges also says that she is no stranger to injuries, however she will return to training at the gym as soon as she is fit and capable.