Ebanie Bridges made to battle in comeback win across six gruelling rounds

Fighter Ebanie Bridges had loaded the pressure on herself before stepping into the ring on Saturday night.

“If I can’t beat Ebonie Cotton, then what is the point of me trying to keep going?" she said.

Well, she won - but not without having to call on every resource she had against a boxer whose record featured two wins and one defeat.

It was a gruelling six rounds, however it may well be seen as another step towards getting back on the title winning trail.

Cotton, from Rowley Regis, looked intent on unsettling the favourite from the opening bell, with a variety of hooks and jabs.

Bridges started to find her target though with accurate right hands.

The pair looked like a mirror image of each other as they stood toe-to-toe in the centre of the ring, the Aussie being wrestled to the canvas at one point.

Cotton, 31, was full of energy although some of her work was rushed, with Bridges looking to land the meaningful blows.

Round four was typical of the no-holds barred approach from both competitors, but Bridges, 39, was inching ahead in the referee's mind, as her opponent's face started to mark up.

Ebanie was still getting caught, though, and the frequent close-contact collision of heads hinted at the potential for cuts.

Ingle-trained Bridges, in this first performance since losing to Alexis Mones in Puerto Rico on January 3, finished strongly in what had been a real test of endurance.

With partner Kell Brook and 14-month old son Ezera joining her in the ring at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, it was Bridges' hand that was lifted, with a 59-56 score.

On the same bill, Sheffield's Owen Durnan, 25, was outpointed 60-54 by Durham's Tom Summerbell at super welterweight.

Meanwhile, Manor Boxing Academy's Samantha Lightfoot took her record to 3-0 with a late notice road win at the Park Inn Hotel, Northampton.

She beat Leicestershire's Zoe Newton, 29.

The 23 year old featherweight posted: "What a night. Got the call last week from Dave saying he had a fight for me in away corner against a 1-0 lass. No questions asked, we took it. Tough fight with a game lass she came for it; respect to her

"So thankful for my team for believing in me...All glory to God."