Ebanie Bridges tipped for world title return
Two of Ebanie Bridges’ strongest supporters believe the former world champion can reclaim boxing’s biggest prizes after her first fight back following motherhood.
Bridges returned to the ring just over ten months after giving birth to her son with former world champion Kell Brook.
She lost on points to American Alexis Mones in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 3.
Some observers believe her choice of opponent had been tougher than necessary, given the fact that she had been out for so long.
But with that eight-rounder under her belt, her trainer Daz Medcalf and friend and world champion Nicola Hopewell believe the 'Blonde Bomber' will not be put off by the experience.
Daz, who trains the 39-year-old at the Kings gym in Sheffield, said: "She will fight again.
"She came back against a good opponent, a former Golden Gloves champion in Alexis.
"She shook a lot of ring rust off in that fight, and while it wasn't the result we wanted, you have to take the positives out of it.
"Nearly three years out and back in the ring ten months after giving birth to her and Kell's son...to fight like she did was a testament to her mental strength."
Daz felt the selection of Araiza as an opponent was questionable."
His fighter had been in with: "Someone too good after the lay off and having a baby.
"An easier opponent was required. But Ebs never shies away from a fight.
"She will dust herself off and go again. I do think she can win a world title again - you don't achieve what she has if you quit when it gets hard."
IBO World Flyweight belt holder Hopewell said Ebanie had: "Boxed really well considering what she had been through.
"It is not easy when you have had a baby. You have got to let your body heal.
"She needed to get in the ring and knock off the ring rust because she had been out a long time, and she did alright.
"Her opponent was better than her record suggested - I thought they would give her somebody else," said Nicola.
"She will be back with the same drive and wanting to prove people wrong."
Nicola believes her Aussie pal has all the skills and determination to contend for a world title again (Bridges won the IBF world bantamweight title in 2022.)
"Ebanie is a come-forward fighter, but can do both. She is very knowledgeable - she knows her stuff."