Fight Night Review from the Copper Box Arena
Fight of the night goes Courtenay and Bridges, maybe fight of the year, what a war.
Round 1 I originally gave it a draw but watching it back I gave the round to Courtenay.
Round 2 Bridges came strong, such a powerful fighter with a good high guard. Landing with some heavy shots. Courtenay started to bleed from the side of the head
Round 3 Courtenay returned with both ladies landing, the cleaner work went to Shannon.
Round 4 Bridges still edging forward chin tucked in with her high guard Shannon was finding hard to land. Bridges won the fourth.
Round 5 Courtenay hit a great right to wobble Bridges, Bridges did well to survive this round and a clash of heads at the end of it started what would be a huge swelling by the end of the fight, which closed the eye of Bridges for the last couple of rounds.
Round 6 Bridges goes for it landing big shots, this one goes to Ebanie.
Seven also going to Ebanie on my card.
So after 7 I’ve got it 67-66 to Bridges.
Round 8 Courtenay, aiming her jab to the left eye of Bridges, wins this round.
Round 9 was brutal for Ebanie, Shannon went all out for the stoppage but couldn’t quite do it then just before the bell Ebanie caught Shannon with a corking over hand right.
Round 10 they both still went at it and I gave it a draw.
So overall the strong brave Aussie was just pipped to the post.
I had it 96-95 to Shannon Courtenay, the judges had 97-94, 98-92, 98-92 AND THE NEW WBA world bantamweight champion from Watford Shannon Courtenay was announced.
Both fighters have an exciting career ahead of them and can hold their heads up high for putting on this performance.
After the fight Ebanie wrote on Twitter : What can I say, I didn’t get the W, but I fought my heart out, I cudnt c 4 the last 3rnds, but I have no quit in me! Congrats to shanny it takes 2 to tango & I really hope we did wat I said we wud & showed that pretty girls fight hard too! & I hope it was entertaining 4 every1 ❤️
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “I would love to see the Rachel Ball rematch. Shannon wants to put that right. “
What next?
Ebanie ‘The Bomber’ Bridges will hopefully be signed by Matchroom and have a couple of fights to get back into contention for a world title.
Shannon Courtenay will be fighting Ball next or if Ball is not recovered from covid she should unify, personally I would go for Maria Cecilia Roman from Argentina, the IBF world champion. But now Shannon is a belt holder there is the mandatory to look out for and that’s Australian Shannon ‘Shotgun’ O’Connell.
