Ebanie Bridges looks sharp in open practice ahead of grudge match with Shannon O’Connell, who described fellow Aussie as a ‘skanky stripper’

Ebanie Bridges seems very motivated for her next world title fight against Shannon O’Connell.

The Aussies are set to do battle on Josh Warrington’s undercard against Luis Alberto Lopez on Saturday night and while they may share a homeland, that’s where the affinity ends, as they certainly couldn’t be considered friends.

Bridges has excelled in the ring in recent years, bouncing back from a first career loss to Shannon Courtenay last year to record three straight wins and become the IBF Bantamweight World Champion.

Outside of the ring, Bridges also became a fan favorite due to her decision to wear lingerie for the weigh-ins, but it also drew criticism, including from her next opponent.

“I don’t know if I would call her a beauty queen, more of a skanky stripper or something, I don’t know,” O’Connell told DStyleBoxing earlier this year.

In response to O’Connell’s teasing, Bridges said on the Main Event Boxing Podcast, “The skanky stripper thing, I’m going to have shirts made that say ‘skanky stripper.’

“I wonder how you’re going to explain that you got beat up by a seedy stripper who doesn’t take the sport seriously?”

“Anyway, look [Floyd] Mayweather, he’s amazing, he still has so many haters. Everyone has enemies. Canelo Alvarez has enemies. Claressa Shields has enemies. Some people just hate it.

“Real people, people who understand boxing, who know boxing, who don’t have a personal vendetta…they can see the truth about me, they can see what I’ve done and what I am, and It’s all that matters .

“I don’t make too much of a fuss with people who hate it and can’t see it. I’m not here to prove anyone wrong, I’m just here to do my best and do my best.

“I feel like maybe when I beat Shannon, if I knock her out, that would be a great statement to anyone who is anti-Blonde Bomber, especially in Australia.

“But I’m just going to go out there and win, and I’m sure I’ll shut up a few people.”