Jake Paul signs former world champion Ebanie Bridges following birth of baby with Kell Brook

Ebanie Bridges' signing with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) bolsters a dynamic roster in women’s boxing. This announcement may influence betting odds, particularly as she seeks to reclaim her title after a recent loss. Punters might anticipate a strong comeback trajectory for Bridges, potentially affecting match outcomes in future events.

Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) have signed former world champion boxer Ebanie Bridges. Bridges joins MVP’s elite female roster four months after announcing the birth of her baby boy, Ezerra Ray Brook, alongside fellow ex-world champion boxer Kell Brook. Bridges has not fought since losing the IBF bantamweight title in 2023 Mark Robinson/Matchroom.

MVP and Paul have been making waves in the world of women’s boxing, having also announced the additions of British stars Chantelle Cameron and Savannah Marshall in the last few months. The signing of ‘The Bronze Bomber’, who boasts a 9-2 professional record, further recognizes the company’s status as the real deal in terms of female boxing, and something that definitely influenced Bridges’ decision.

“I’m very excited about signing with MVP, they’ve done amazing things for women’s boxing in such a short time,” Bridges said. “[I’m] proud to be joining a star-studded stable full of champions—current, former, and future world champions. “I love and appreciate that MVP are truly investing into women’s boxing—for the right reasons.

“I believe with MVP’s backing, promotion and clever marketing, myself and women’s boxing will truly skyrocket.” Bridges hasn’t fought since losing the IBF bantamweight title to Miyo Yoshida in December 2023, but she is targeting a return to the ring later this year.

The 38-year-old from Sydney, Australia, left her job as a high school maths teacher in New South Wales to pursue her dream of becoming a world champion boxer in the UK. This came true when she defeated Maria Cecilia Roman in March 2022 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. She retained the strap nine months later against Shannon O’Connell before losing to Yoshida in her last outing to date.

Bridges is confident she can make women’s boxing ‘skyrocket’ at MVP Getty. She lost the IBF bantamweight title to Yoshida in 2023 Ed Mulholland/Matchroom. “Ebanie Bridges is a star in every sense of the word,” Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of MVP, said. “She’s a world champion, a proven ticket seller, and a force of personality who brings new audiences into boxing.

“Now a devoted mother on a mission to reclaim her title, she continues to break boundaries both in and out of the ring. “We’re thrilled to welcome another Aussie to the MVP family and can’t wait to help take her career to even greater heights.”

Paul and MVP are set to take centre stage once again this Friday as co-promoters of Katie Taylor’s trilogy bout with Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden, New York. The event is on course to break the Guinness World Record for the most world championship belts ever contested in a single boxing event, with 17 straps on the line across five bouts.

Paul is co-promoting Taylor’s trilogy with Serrano on Friday night Sarah Stier / Netflix. Unified featherweight world champion Serrano, 36, is another fighter signed to MVP and has been constantly backed by Paul towards the end of her illustrious 51-fight career. The first fight between Serrano and Taylor, 39, ended with the latter being crowned the winner via split decision as both fighters took home the first seven-figure paydays in women’s boxing history.

Meanwhile, the rematch between the female foes served as the co-main event between Mike Tyson and Paul as both women went head-to-head in Texas, with Taylor once again taking home the win this time by unanimous decision.

Paul and Tyson have placed themselves in opposite corners for the trilogy bout, with ‘The Problem Child’ wagering $1 million with the heavyweight boxing great for the fight. Tyson is backing Ireland’s Taylor, while Paul is, unsurprisingly, rooting for Serrano, who is looking to exact revenge on two of her three career defeats.

The 10-round clash takes place on Friday at Madison Square Garden, with the undercard starting from 1am BST / 8pm ET, and the main event expected to start around 3:30am BST / 10:30pm ET.

Taylor vs Serrano III Card Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano; For Taylor’s undisputed super lightweight title Alycia Baumgardner vs Jennifer Miranda; For Baumgardner’s undisputed super featherweight Savannah Marshall vs Shadisa Green; For Marshall’s IBF and Ring Magazine super middleweight titles and Green’s WBO super middleweight title Chantelle Cameron vs Jessica Camara; For Cameron’s WBC interim super lightweight title Ellie Scotney vs Yamileth Mercado; For Scotney’s IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine super bantamweight titles and Mercado’s WBC super bantamweight title Cherneka Johnson vs Shurretta Metcalf; For vacant WBO, WBC and Ring Magazine bantamweight titles, Metcalf’s IBF bantamweight title and Johnson’s WBA belt Tamm Thibeault vs Mary Casamassa; Middleweight Ramla Ali vs Lila Furtado; Super-bantamweight.

Talksport