Australian IBF world champion Ebanie Bridges receives top boxing award

After an amazing year that saw her win and defend a world title, and build a brand on beauty, boxing ability and banter, Ebanie Bridges has been recognised with a major award by a prestigious publication.

The former Sydney maths teacher emerged as a genuine star in 2022 with a emphatic win over Maria Cecilia Roman to capture the IBF bantamweight title.

Bridges then capped off the year by ending her 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 her win and defend a world title, and build a brand on beauty, boxing ability and banter, Ebanie Bridges (pictured) has been recognised with a major award by Sports Illustrated

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Bridges then capped off the year by ending her 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 humour and controversial weigh-in lingerie also won her legions of 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] has proven she is more than an attraction, ending ’22 as arguably the top fighter in the 118-pound division’.

The Blonde Bombers’ unapologetic mindset, disarming sense of humour and controversial weigh-in lingerie also won her legions of fans and followers on social media

Bridges was over the moon with the recognition from the prestigious sports magazine, telling Daily Mail Australia it was a dream come true.

‘To be mentioned and recognised by Sports Illustrated, one of the most recognised 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 she broke her hand before her world title showdown with arch rival Shannon O’Connell.

Bridges’ hand pictured after the championship fight with Shannon O’Connell

Bridges shared gruesome photos of the surgery on her right hand

Bridges revealed that her hip, where bone was taken from, has been causing her the most pain

Bridges was so confident that she would win, that she backed herself to get the job done with one hand and said afterwards that there was no way she was pulling out.

The Aussie had surgery on her hand soon after the bout, saying she would need some time off to recover.

‘The surgery went well,’ Bridges told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday morning. ‘My hand is OK.’

‘My hip has actually been giving me the most grief and pain. That’s where they took some of my bone from to fuse my joints in my hand together.’ 

Bridges also says she is no stranger to injuries, however and will be back in the gym training as soon as she is fit and able.