EXCLUSIVE: Aussie boxer Ebanie Bridges honored with top honor – and reveals extent of gruesome surgery that required hip and hand bones fused after world title fight
- Australian boxing world champion Ebanie Bridges received the highest award
- Sports Illustrated named Bridges the Women’s Breakout Boxer of the Year
- Bridges told Daily Mail Australia that the award was a big personal one success
- Champion is currently recovering from hand surgery after defending the world title
After an amazing year that saw him win and defend a world title, and build a brand on beauty, boxing skills and banter, Ebanie Bridges has been recognized with a major award by a prestigious publication.
The former Sydney maths teacher emerged as a real star in 2022 with an emphatic win over Maria Cecilia Roman to capture the IBF bantamweight title.
Bridges ended the year by ending his war of words with compatriot Shannon O’Connell and retaining the title with a brutal eighth-round stoppage win in Leeds, England.
After an amazing year that saw him win and defend a world title, and build a brand of beauty, boxing ability and banter, Ebanie Bridges (pictured) has been recognized with a major award by Sports Illustrated
Bridges ended the year by ending his war of words with compatriot Shannon O’Connell and retaining the title with a brutal eighth-round stoppage win in Leeds, England
The Blonde Bombers’ unapologetic mindset, disarming sense of humor and controversial weigh-in lingerie have also won her huge fans and followers on social media.
Sports Illustrated awarded Bridges the Women’s Breakout Boxer of the Year award, with resident boxing expert Chris Mannix saying ‘[Bridges] proved to be more than just an attraction, finishing at ’22 as arguably the top fighter in the 118-pound division’.
Blonde Bombers’ unapologetic mindset, disarming sense of humor and controversial lingerie weigh-ins have also won her huge fans and followers on social media
Bridges is over the moon with the recognition from the prestigious sports magazine, telling Daily Mail Australia it is a dream come true.
‘To be mentioned and recognized by Sports Illustrated, one of the most famous sports magazines in the world, is huge for me,’ said Bridges.
‘I feel so proud and think it’s a box ticked for me as a personal achievement.’
The world champion is currently recovering from surgery, after revealing he broke his hand ahead of his world title showdown with arch rival Shannon O’Connell.
Bridges’ hand is pictured after the championship fight with Shannon O’Connell
Bridges shared harrowing photos of the surgery on his right hand
Bridges revealed that his hip, where the bone was taken, causes him the most pain
Bridges was so confident he would win, that he backed himself to finish the job single-handed and said afterward that there was no way he was pulling out.
The Aussie had surgery on his hand after the fight, saying he needed some time to recover.
‘The operation went well,’ Bridges told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday morning. ‘My hand is fine.’
‘My hip really gives me the most grief and pain. There they took some of my bone to put my joints together in my hand.’
Bridges also said that he is no stranger to injuries, however and will return to training in the gym as soon as he is fit and able.
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