‘The Ginger Matador’ Rachel Ball will no longer be taking on the Australian Ebanie Bridges for the vacant WBA female Bantamweight World title. Bridge (34) has had to pull out of the fight due to an injury to her shoulder in training. Matchroom promotions were quick to find a replacement and have opted for the current IBF super Flyweight world champion Jorgelina Guanini. Guanini (28) has a very impressive record of 9 wins 2 draws and just one defeat. Guanini who hails from Argentina won her IBF world title in September of 2018 beating Deborah Dionysius on a split decision and defended it in June of 2019 getting a mandatory draw against Michael Lunan.
When the change of opponent was announced Rachel took to social media to say this. “My original opponent Ebanie Bridges, unfortunately, sustained an injury to her shoulder and is no longer able to fight. I’m really grateful to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing for sorting another opponent who is already a World Champion so this will be a big challenge for me, but one I’ve prepared for. I’m sure I’m going to get asked many times whether the change of opponent has affected me or my camp, the answer is no, I’ve done everything I can in this camp, it’s just a different opponent, same goal, same outcome. Thank you all for your ongoing support”.
Ball (29) who also has a great record of 6 wins and 1 defeat has also won three world titles as a kickboxer so has a lot of experience when it comes to the big events.
Dexter’s Thought’s
I am so glad that Matchroom found Rachel a replacement for Bridges and what a replacement. Guanini is already a world champ and on paper has more experience and a better record than Ball and Bridges. This could potentially be a much harder fight for Ball as I honestly thought she would beat Bridges with ease. As much as this will be more of a challenge for Ball I can still see her winning the world title without any issues. The Birmingham Boxing Column looks forward to entering Rachel into the Bbcolumn ‘Hall of Fame'.