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Ebanie Bridges rival makes shock gesture after 'flaunting body' taunt and gruesome injury

Ebanie Bridges rival has made a surprising gesture after previously taking aim at the Blonde Bomber and her lingerie weigh-ins before dealing her a gruesome injury

[Ebanie Bridges ]

Ebanie Bridges has received support from a former rival after her comeback defeat

Ebanie Bridges rival Shannon Courtenay appeared to squash their beef in a shock gesture to her fellow boxer.

The Blonde Bomber was beaten in her first outing in the ring since December 2023 by Alexis Araiza Mones in Puerto Rico on Saturday night, after taking two years out of the sport and having a baby with boxing legend Kell Brook. The fight went the entire eight round distance before American fighter Mones arm was raised via unanimous decision.

But in the wake of the defeat, Bridges, 39, has found support from a surprise place as Watford fighter Courtenay lauded the Aussies return to the ring and had kind words for her former foe, after becoming a mum during her absence from boxing.

[Shannon Courtenay - Ebanie Bridges]

Shannon Courtenay has made a shock gesture to Ebanie Bridges following their feud(Image: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)

On her Instagram story, Courtenay wrote: People dont realise how hard it is to have years away from boxing & comeback the same as before!

Ebanie Bridges hold your head high girl theres no shame in losing your first fight back after having time out, the same happened to me but you just gotta get straight back in.

Get yourself a good couple wins & well get the rematch on, still a big fight people want to see.

[Bridges]

Bridges shared Courtenay's message to her Instagram

Bridges reposted the touching message on her story, saying: Thank you Shanny sounds like a good plan to me x. She also added: Ps Did we just become best friends alongside a picture of Will Farrell and John C. Reilly playing Brennan and Dale in the comedy movie Step Brothers.

The two fighters were previously embroiled in a war of words before their world title fight at the Copper Box Arena in London back in April 2021. Bridges was dealt the first defeat of her professional career via unanimous decision after Courtenay gave her a gruesome black eye to win the vacant WBA female bantamweight title.

Bridges lingerie weigh-in was centre to the animosity, as the Blonde Bomber explained her reasoning behind her choice of outfit, saying: "I feel like women's boxing needs more eyes on the sport.

[Ebanie Bridges]

Bridges' lingerie weigh-ins were a major talking point ahead of the fight

"We need to do whatever we can. This same way I've got noticed is the same way I'm getting this fight noticed.

"What does matter is what happens in the ring. If we can get as many people as possible to watch the fight, then Shannon and I can show to a more diverse number of viewers that women can fight.

"I think me winning this world title will show people you don't have to be like everybody else to achieve these goals. That's what I'm going for."

However, Courtenay was very critical of Bridges lingerie antics and argued: "I can understand why she's saying she wants to get more eyes on the sport, but I want to get more viewers for the correct reasons.

[Ebanie Bridges was left with a huge swelling over her left eye following her brutal bout with Shannon Courtenay]

Ebanie Bridges was left with a huge swelling over her left eye following her brutal bout with Shannon Courtenay(Image: REUTERS)

Katie Taylor didn't work her backside off to pave the way for women like Ebanie and me to talk about underwear."

She added: "I've got a 14-year-old sister, my coaches have daughters. I want to be a good role model and show them hard work and motivation gets you here. Not flaunting your body."

Courtenay, now 32, never got the chance to defend her title in the ring after the original fight date against Jamie Mitchell was postponed due to her suffering an injury in training.

The rescheduled bout a month-and-a-half later saw Courtenay fail to make the required weight a day before the fight and was stripped of the belt. The bout went ahead and Mitchell claimed victory and the vacant title.

Courtenay later took almost two years off between December 2022 and October 2024. But the Brit is rebuilding her career after signing for Jake Pauls MVP in July 2025, the same promotion as Bridges, and beat Jessica Radtke Maltez on the undercard of Paul vs Anthony Joshua last month.

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