‘Disrespected the nation’: Aussie claims world champ would ‘somewhat vacate’ than struggle in Australia

Bridges defends her IBF feminine bantamweight title towards O’Connell because the co-main occasion for Josh Warrington’s IBF featherweight title bout towards Luis Alberto Lopez in Leeds on Sunday (AEDT).

Watch the largest all-Australian feminine boxing struggle of all time, O’Connell; v Bridges Dwell and Free Dec 11 8:30am AEDT Dwell & Free on Kayo Freebies. Be a part of now and begin streaming immediately

The struggle is undoubtedly the largest feminine struggle in Australian boxing historical past, with each O’Connell and Bridges hailing from Down Underneath.

Nonetheless, Bridges has since moved to England to progress her profession and reap the benefits of her giant following within the nation.

It has O’Connell feeling “prefer it’s undoubtedly an Australian combating a Brit” and if something, ‘Shotgun’ is “extra British than she is” resulting from her father being born in England.

Maybe that sentiment may have been averted had Bridges opted to take the title struggle to Australia to proceed the wealthy run of world championship fights on Aussie soil in 2022, but O’Connell was left fuming that was not the case.

“Different Australians have travelled and based mostly themselves in different places,” O’Connell advised foxsports.com.au.

“Simply the pure disrespect she’s had for Australian boxing. I’ve been advised she was saying if we received the purse bid, she’d somewhat vacate than struggle once more in Australia.

“To me, most Aussies that depart Australia they wish to come again and defend their titles or struggle in entrance of their house followers, particularly once they suppose they’re as international and as massive as she does.

“So why wouldn’t she wish to struggle in entrance of her house crowd if she’s an Aussie?

“I don’t condemn her in any respect for transferring away and making her profession higher, however she had this chance to struggle in Australia.

“The cash would have been the identical for her as it will have been right here as a result of they (Matchroom Boxing) received the purse bid and Eddie Hearn may have put it in Australia.

“She’s actually disrespected the nation.”

O’Connell additionally clarified her “skanky stripper” declare that Bridges stated she’d get plastered on T-shirts.

“She’s not a skanky stripper, she’s a skanky stripper wannabe,” O’Connell stated.

“She is a skank, that’s for certain. However I’ve seen strippers look nicer than her.”

Apparently sufficient, O’Connell’s bout with Bridges on the First Direct Area in Leeds will happen after the struggle evening takes a short pause so followers can watch England’s World Cup quarterfinal towards France earlier than resuming later.

It guarantees to be an extremely rowdy crowd prone to be in favour of Bridges, who’s a passionate Leeds United fan.

Remarkably, O’Connell claimed she has “been advised they’re banking on the group to spook” her.

The Queenslander additionally took umbrage with Bridges’ declare on the Primary Occasion Boxing Podcast that the champ is solely behind O’Connell’s imminent monetary windfall.

“I hope she says that to my face,” O’Connell stated.

“As a result of I can inform you proper now that this struggle is going on as a result of my supervisor (Glen Jennings) and my promoter (No Restrict) made this occur.

“They tried to get out of it. She must be thanking me for her largest payday as a result of I do know what she bought paid when she received the belt.

“The one motive she’s getting paid what she is is as a result of the one approach Eddie Hearn may save her a** was to win the purse bid.

“I’ll expect that thanks from her.”

Initially printed as ‘Disrespected the nation’: Aussie claims world champ would ‘somewhat vacate’ than struggle in Australia