Former IBF bantamweight champion Ebanie Bridges, better known as the “Blonde Bomber”, has put an end to speculation about her image ahead of her imminent return to the ring. After announcing that she is back in training and posting a mysterious teaser of “fight news soon”, the boxer has made it clear that her controversial strategy of weighing in in lingerie will not change.
In a recent interview on That Boxing Show podcast, Bridges defended her approach, pointing out that her style is essential to attract new audiences to the women’s sport. The Australian defiantly sent a message to her detractors: if they do not approve of her method, they should simply not tune in to her fights.
Ebanie Bridges confirms she won’t change her style
Bridges did not mince words in explaining why she will continue to use lingerie as her personal brand at weigh-ins. The boxer, who was also a bodybuilder for a decade, argued that her appearance is a tool for the growth of the discipline.
People don’t want to see, or watch boxing, girls who look like boys
“I wear lingerie, I like lingerie, I have huge tits, and I’m going to f*cking show them off,” she said, recalling her past as a bodybuilder on stage.
Bridges criticised the lack of visual appeal in traditional women’s boxing, stating: “People don’t want to see, or watch boxing, girls who look like boys… I’m sorry… It’s going to be very difficult to draw attention to the sport by doing the same thing”.
Ebanie Bridges responds to her critics
The “Blonde Bomber” presents herself as a leader who is willing to take on controversy in order to push boxing forward. Her stance is one of total indifference to negative public opinion, suggesting that the attention she generates, whether positive or negative, is a benefit to the sport.
Her firmest statement was a direct warning to her critics: “We have to change things. And I thought, well, I’m the right girl for that. Because I’ll do anything, I don’t give a fuck what people think. And if you like it, you like it; if you don’t, fuck off, don’t look at me, I don’t care about anything.”
Bridges concluded that she is focused on building her own legacy and has no time for those who do not support her image, generating a wide debate in women’s boxing about those who want everything to focus on the sport and others who use their physical attributes to attract attention.
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