'The Ginger Matador’ Rachel Ball (6-1) has been given a shot at the vacant WBA Bantamweight Female World title against unbeaten fighter Ebanine Bridges (4-0). The fight is set to be contested on a packed-out female Matchroom event with Terri Harper (10-0-1) and Irelands Katie Taylor (16-0) both defending there titles. The show which is promoted by Matchroom will be aired live on sky sports on Saturday, November 14th, and will be a great advertisement for female boxing.
Ball (29) impressed in her last fight and her debt on a Matchroom show by beating Matchroom's Hot prospect Shannon Courtenay on points in a cracking 8 round fight in August of this year. Ball a former 3-time kickboxing world champion had already been made a mandatory challenger for the Commonwealth title at super-featherweight after beating Bec Connolly on points in November of last year but will be dropping down to Bantamweight for this fantastic opportunity.
Her opponent Ebaine Bridges who has been nicknamed the ‘Blonde Bombers’ had an impressive amateur career before turning over to the pro ranks. Hailing from Australia the 33-year-old high school maths teacher has won all 4 of her pro fights and will be looking to be crowned world champ in her natural division.
This is set to be a great night of boxing live on Sky Sports.
Dexter’s Thoughts
This is a great opportunity for Rachel Ball to become a world champion in two different combat sports and I can definitely see her doing it. My only concern is Ball being as strong as she usually is at Bantamweight. I’m sure Ball and her team have a plan to get Rachel down to 8 stone 4 and with the day before weigh-in, she will be entering the ring big. Ball has also got experience on her side by having more professional fights and already completing a 10 rounder and two 8 rounders. Bridges has only completed 1 six-rounder but did have a very good amateur career. Ball has also had big fight experience in her kickboxing career fighting all over the world and then there is Ball's biggest advantage, her height. Rachel stands at 5 foot 9 with Bridges standing at 5 foot 1 so Ball with definitely have a big reach advantage on the night. Honestly, I can not see Ball having a problem against Bridges as long as she keeps it long and does what the ‘Ginger Matador’ does best. Rachel could also make history if she wins by being the first female boxer entered into the BBColumn Hall of Fame.