Ebanie Wins Title and More

Ebanie Bridges Rumbles to World Title Victory in England

By Uppercut Magazine staff

Aussie bantamweight slugger Ebanie “Blonde Bomber” Bridges pounded her way to the IBF world title by unanimous decision over Argentina’s long-reigning champion Maria Cecila Roman on Saturday.

In her second attempt at a world title Bridges (8-1, 3 Kos) found success against Roman (16-6-1) at Leeds England on the Matchroom Boxing card. The Argentine fighter had fended off five previous challengers.

Bridges attacked immediately from the opening bell and discovered Roman was content to simply block and stay in front.

“I was surprised. I love that kind of fight,” said Bridges.

For the first five rounds it seemed Bridges might run away with the victory almost unimpeded. But Roman finally woke up around the fourth round and then stepped up her counter-attack in the sixth rounds onward.

Counters and more counters by Roman were met by combination punches from Bridges who never seems to run out of fuel. Like former WBA bantamweight champion Shannon Courtenay said, “she has a good engine.” Both fought an extremely brutal affair a year ago with Bridges falling short on the cards.

Not this time.

Bridges added more wrinkles to her game and was able to slip many of Roman’s constant counter punches. It was the difference in the fight as both seemed tireless. While Roman blocked, Bridges slipped the punches.

After 10 rounds, all three judges saw Bridges the winner 100-91, 97-93, 97-93. The Aussie fighter now holds the IBF bantamweight world title.

“I’m proud of myself,” said Bridges a schoolteacher in Australia. “It means everything I sacrificed has been worth it.”

Skye Wins Too

Another Aussie fighter saw success in Leeds, England as former Olympian Skye Nicolson who pot-shotted her way to victory over veteran Bec Connolly in a six round featherweight fight.

It was Nicolson’s second fight in less than a month and the super athletic southpaw improved immensely. In her pro debut she had exhibited a very amateur style of touch and run. Seldom did she punch with any authority. In the fight with Connolly she stayed in punching distance and punched with full force. It was a solid display of a more pro style of fighting.

Layla McCarter

The legend of Layla McCarter (46-13-5) continues as the Las Vegas fighter traveled to Mexico City and defeated Brazil’s Halanna Leoparda Dos Santos (14-9, 9 Kos) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday March 25.

McCarter, who has won world titles in four weight divisions, has not lost a fight in 15 years. She remains one of the best fighters pound for pound, but finds it very difficult to receive a world title fight.

Against Dos Santos the smaller McCarter was able to punish the Brazilian with combinations throughout the fight. Seldom was she hit with anything in return. It was a one-sided fight that saw McCarter finish the fight without a mark on her face. She won every round.

McCarter is ranked in the top 10 as a welterweight by the WBA, WBC, and IBF organizations.

Yokasta Valle and Others

IBF minimumweight world titlist Yokasta Valle (24-2) boxed her way to victory by unanimous decision over Japan’s Sana Hazuki (8-6-1) on Friday March 25, in San Carlos, Costa Rica.

Valle had the speed advantage but preferred to hit and hold her way to victory in a vey boring fight. For the first three rounds there was excitement, and then Valle changed to a more grappling affair that slowed the fight and entertainment.

Also on the same card Adelaida Ruiz (11-0-1, 6 Kos) won by technical knockout of Mexico’s Edith Flores (7-19) in the third round of a bantamweight fight. Ruiz scored three standing eight counts which is strange in pro boxing, but used by the referee in Costa Rica. Ruiz was far too strong for Flores.

Maricela Cornejo (15-5) defeated Brazil’s Simone Aparecida (17-20) by unanimous decision after eight rounds in a middleweight engagement. It was a technical fight with Cornejo opting to out-point the smaller fighter. All three judges gave Cornejo every round in the win.

Costa Rica’s Naomy Valle (1-0) won her pro debut by technical knockout in the third round over Nicaragua’s Heidi Fernandez (0-1) also making her debut. Valle was very aggressive and quick in out-punching Fernandez. The stoppage came at 54 seconds of the third round of the minimumweight fight.

Valle is the 17-year-old younger sister of Yokasta.