Former IBF bantamweight champion Ebanie Bridges has broken her silence following a high-profile return to the boxing ring that ended in defeat. The Australian fighter, making her comeback after a two-year absence and just months after giving birth, shared a candid and inspiring message about her journey, prioritizing the significance of her effort over the final result.
A Courageous Comeback in Puerto Rico
Ebanie Bridges stepped back into competition on January 3, marking her debut under the Most Valuable Promotions banner. This pivotal moment came after she welcomed her son, Ezerra Ray, in March 2025. Her return bout was placed on the undercard of the Amanda Serrano event in Puerto Rico, where she faced a determined opponent in Alexis Araiza Mones.
The fight went the full distance, showcasing Bridges' trademark resilience. However, the judges awarded a unanimous decision victory to Mones. This bout was Bridges' first professional contest since December 2023, closing a chapter defined by pregnancy, childbirth, and an intense recovery period.
Honesty Over Excuses: Bridges' Social Media Message
Five days after the fight, Bridges took to social media to address her fans and the boxing community directly. She chose a path of raw honesty, framing her comeback through a lens of personal achievement rather than competitive disappointment.
"Well, they do say 'if you try, you may fail, but if you don't try, you are guaranteed failure'," Bridges wrote, setting the tone for her reflection. She emphasized a deeply personal goal she had set for herself. "I might not have gotten the 'W', but I said I'd get back in the ring in the first year after giving birth and that, for me, was an achievement in itself."
She generously credited her opponent's performance, stating, "It was a tough fight to come back to after 2 years out and a baby. Alexis likes to bring it and we had a war." Bridges extended her congratulations to Mones and her team, wishing them future success.
Motherhood, Recovery, and the Future of Her Boxing Career
Beyond the ring, Bridges opened up about the monumental challenges of her return. She detailed the grueling process of rebuilding her elite athletic fitness after pregnancy and surgery. Her motivation was multifaceted and deeply personal.
"I was determined to prove having a baby doesn't mean you have to retire/quit/stop the things you love, or give up on your own goals and dreams," Bridges asserted. She also highlighted her desire to inspire other mothers and to make her son proud. The training camp, she admitted, was "beyond hard, emotionally and physically," with moments where quitting seemed tempting.
Despite the setback, the former champion's fighting spirit remains undimmed. She has already set her sights on the next step. "Now I've got that one out of the way, I want to get straight back in, after spending some time with my son and Kell Brook," she declared. With her significant profile, vast experience, and strong support network within the sport, Ebanie Bridges is firmly planning the next chapter of her boxing career, proving that sometimes the comeback itself is the greatest victory.
