Ebanie Bridges sends foul-mouthed message to haters after winning world title

Bridges overcame long-reigning world champion Maria Cecilia Roman before sending a message to those who had doubted her

Ebanie Bridges won a world title at the second attempt – and then lashed out at those who had doubted her.

The Aussie has been a figure of fun at times throughout her boxing career after weighing in wearing skimpy outfits usually seen on Only Fans pages.

But she overcame long-reigning bantamweight champion Maria Cecilia Roman in Leeds on Saturday night to establish herself at the highest level.

And she took the opportunity to rant: “I would like to say, ‘Can I f****** fight or not?’ F*** you guys who think I can’t fight. I can f***ing fight. I can box, I can fight, and I can look hot on the scales so hopefully I’ve proved a lot of doubters wrong.”

Bridges, 35, known as ‘The Blonde Bomber’, was rewarded for taking the fight to the defending champion with a unanimous points decision, with the judges scoring it 100-91, 97-93, 97-93 in the Australian’s favour.

And she added: “I feel proud of myself, and I feel extremely happy because it means everything I have sacrificed and all the work I’ve done has been worth it. This belt represents everything; all the heartbreaks, the sacrifice and all the training so I’m happy. She was a tough champion and she brought it so that meant I could do the stuff I love to do.

“I love that kind of fight. I know it’s not the fight we’re supposed to have but I love those kind of fights because it’s good for the fans. I’m about entertaining and and for me that was so fun. It was tough, she was the champion and she brought it and that was awesome.

“I thought she would box because they all do but that allowed me to show what I love to do. I did think I showed some of my boxing. It was a great fight, i enjoyed it and I’m just grateful and blessed that I was able to become world champion in this beautiful city of Leeds.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “There were a lot of people who felt when Ebanie came into the sport that it was a gimmick and about driving followers but there was method to the madness. What they don’t see is the dedication and she has really applied herself. She didn’t get an easy title shot, she didn’t get a vacant title shot, she fought the longest-reigning champion in the division.”