The highly anticipated return of former world champion Ebanie Bridges is set to captivate the boxing world, with the prospect of a blockbuster showdown with Cherneka Johnson, the undisputed bantamweight champion. Bridges, who has been sidelined for over two years since becoming a mother, is gearing up for her comeback and a path back to world-title contention. While her focus is firmly on Sunday's clash with Alexis Arazia, Bridges has her sights set on the bantamweight queen, 'Sugar Neekz', who holds all the belts.
Bridges' all-Australian showdown with Shannon O'Connell in 2022 was the year's second most-read story on the Fox Sports Australia website, behind only the tragic passing of Shane Warne. Johnson boasts a similarly massive following, and Bridges believes a clash between the two would be even bigger. 'It’d be one of the biggest Aussie boxing fights, I think,' said the former Sydney school teacher. 'Obviously, the fight with me and Shannon O’Connell was the biggest for female boxing, but this would be bigger than that because Neekz is undisputed.'
Both Bridges and Johnson are represented by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, putting the two Aussies under the same banner as their profiles continue to rise on the world stage. Despite her confidence, Bridges admits there are nerves heading into her first fight in more than two years. 'I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little bit nervous,' she said. 'I’ve been out of the ring and I’m just hoping that I can shake off the ring-rust really fast and get in there and put on a great performance.'
Bridges' partner and British boxing icon Kell Brook will be in her corner, offering support and advice. 'Kell’s been great [through camp],' Bridges said. 'He’s been helping me train. He’s been holding the pads. He’s always at my sparring. And he’s always giving me advice and support. I’m very lucky in that sense.'
As for what she expects from Arazia, Bridges is predicting fireworks. 'She’s a tough, strong, come-forward fighter,' Bridges said. 'She’s aggressive. She’s a bit like me. We both like to come forward and fight. So I know that it’s going to be a very entertaining fight. I would like to say that I stop her. I think I could stop her in later rounds, but these Mexicans are tough. So let’s see what she can handle. But I’ll be going for the knockout.'
And if she gets her hand raised after 25 months away? 'There might be tears,' admitted Bridges. 'You’ll never see tears from me after a fight. I’m not that emotional. But, you know, I might actually cry because it’s been a long and hard road.'
