Photos: Shannon Courtenay Beats Ebanie Bridges in Fire-Fight For WBA Title

Copper Box Arena, London - In a fight for the vacant WBA bantamweight title, Shannon Courtenay (7-1, 3 KOs) won a tough ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs). The scores were 97-94, 98-92, 98-92. (photos by Mark Robinson)

They were throwing hard punches, at close range, right from the start. Both were landing solid punches in the first round. Bridges started well in the second, throwing and landing big punches. Courtenay was getting caught with big shots to the head and body. There may have been a clash of heads as Courtenay was bleeding from the side of the head.

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Courtenay was coming on with good combinations in the third, going to the head and body. The fourth was a back and forth punch-fest, with each fighter getting in their shots. During the fifth, Courtenay rocked Bridges with a right hand. Bridges was able to hold on and get out of trouble. There was also a lot of swelling above the left eye of Bridges.

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Bridges was rallying in the sixth with hard punches, before Courtenay stood her ground to fight back. They were brawling hard in the seventh, with Bridges connecting with the harder shots. A close eight as the pace slowed down for both. Courtenay with a big ninth as Bridges was once again rocked and her left eye was swelled shut. Courtenay went for the finish, but couldn't get her out of there.

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Courtenay was doing very well in the tenth, as she was outlanding Bridges, but the action was close. Bridges was pressing forward, looking to make it a brawl, as Courtenay was catching her with counters.

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