Bridges vs Mones Predictions: ‘The Blonde Bomber’ is back in the ring

Popular Aussie Ebanie Bridges returns after over two years out of the ring this Saturday, January 3. The former IBF bantamweight champion takes on Alexis Araiza Mones at Coliseo Roberto Clemente, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. DAZN will screen the card live, with Amanda Serrano headlining against Reina Tellez.

Keep reading for my Bridges vs Mones predictions.

Bridges vs Mones Fight Preview

Australia’s Bridges has become an adopted daughter of British boxing, living in Leeds and boxing five times in the UK between 2021 and 2022. The British fans watched the former teacher rise through the ranks to become a world champion. 

In 2022, Bridges went supernova. First, ‘The Blonde Bomber’ seized the IBF bantamweight belt from Maria Cecilia Roman via unanimous decision. Then Bridges welcomed a boxing legend from her homeland to her adopted Leeds. Ebanie stopped the great Australian, Shannon O’Connell, in eight rounds, in her maiden title defence.

It was vindication for Bridges, who had been subject to misogynistic accusation that she had skated by on her looks. But the New South Wales star now had the title and two major scalps to prove she was above such discriminatory scorn.

Bridges would lose her championship to Miyo Yoshida in late 2023, before taking time out of the ring. Ebanie welcomed a baby boy with her partner, former IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook. Ezerra Ray Brook is the first baby in history to be born to two boxing world champions. I wonder if he got gloves for Christmas…

After a long hiatus, it is not disrespectful to say Bridges is taking it slowly here. Mones is 3-2-1 with no well-known names on her resume. The 35-year-old Texan has never been stopped, but she has also never been in with a fighter of Bridges’ level.

This bout is vindication more than anything. Two fingers up at those who speculated Bridges would never be seen in a prize ring again after losing her title. That she would fall back on her OnlyFans and use her boxing notoriety for a quick buck. 

Bridges has done the hard work to make this comeback a reality. The former champion deserves our attention as she begins the chase for a second belt.

Bridges vs Mones Full Card

Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez

Yankiel Rivera Figueroa vs Jonathan Gonzalez

Stephanie Han vs Holly Holm

Henry Lebron vs Juan Tapia

Jan Paul Rivera-Pizarro vs Alfredo Cruz

Ebanie Bridges vs Alexis Araiza Mones

Krystal Rosado-Ortiz vs Tania Walters

Abner Figueroa Cotto vs Edwin Rodriguez

Alexis Chaparro vs Augusto Leal Salazar

Chris Echevarria vs Gabriel Bernardi Cruz

Yandiel Lozano vs Johniel Ramos Cotto

Elise Soto vs Liliana Martinez

Caleb Josue Tirado Pagan vs Justin Hill

Bridges vs Mones Prediction

Mones is here for one reason and one reason only. I expect her to battle. This is essentially a free hit for her. A chance to score a victory over a world-level fighter. 

But Bridges is world level for a reason. Expect the Aussie to warm into this one and be rattling off her swarming attacks like the old days. Bridges to win is 1/8.

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