Shannon Courtenay on winning world title, respect for Ebanie Bridges after war

Shannon Courtenay won the WBA bantamweight title in a show-stealing war with Ebanie Bridges this past Saturday in London, and was overwhelmed by emotion live in the building, and after when discussing the fight on social media.

“I achieved my dream and cemented my name in the history books, and Britain crowned a new world champion,” she wrote on Instagram.

After a chippy build-up where Courtenay (7-1, 3 KO) and Bridges (5-1, 2 KO) traded some pretty sharp verbal barbs, the two came away with obvious respect for one another, as you can see in the post-fight photo up top.

“Respect and credit to Ebanie, a lot of talk and needle in the build-up but we had one hell of a fight,” she said. “I hope her and her team go home safely. This is just the start for me and the journey is only going to get bigger and more exciting.”

It’s expected that Courtenay will make a first defense in a rematch with Rachel Ball (7-1, 0 KO), who scored a gritty decision win over Courtenay in another really good fight last August. That was meant to be the April 10 fight, but Ball had to withdraw with COVID.

One thing is really clear: Shannon Courtenay is a damn fun fighter to watch on TV, and whatever she still may lack a bit in sound technique or defense or whatever, she makes up for with heart and fire.