Ebanie Bridges has defended her IBF bantamweight title with an eighth-round stoppage victory over compatriot Shannon O'Connell.
After a back-and-forth war which was at times more Rock'em Sock'em Robots than sweet science, Bridges forced the stoppage with a flurry late in the eighth round.
The bout had been billed as the biggest fight in Australian female boxing history and it more than delivered.
O'Connell started the better of the pair in Leeds, wobbling Bridges with a right hand in the first round.
Bridges wasn't deterred however, coming forward and applying the pressure at every opportunity.
The high intensity began to take its toll on the 39-year-old O'Connell who struggled to wrestle back the momentum after she was dropped with a right hand in the third round.
BIG KNOCKDOWN FOR BRIDGES #WarringtonLopez pic.twitter.com/1BejbEyTYk
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 10, 2022
Bridges repeatedly found the target with one-twos as both fighters stood in the pocket and traded power shots.
O'Connell showed signs of mounting some offence but for every punch she landed there were multiple coming back the other way.
In the end, the pace of Bridges proved too much as she poured on the pressure with O'Connell up against the ropes late in the eighth round.
To O'Connell's credit, she was able to stay on her feet but referee Howard Foster was well within his right to step in when he did.
AND STILL 👑@EbanieBridges gets the win with the referee waving the fight off after a brutal combination 😤#WarringtonLopez pic.twitter.com/fzNomXjZEE
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 10, 2022
After the victory, Bridges said this one was personal for her.
"Not bad for a skanky stripper, I must say, not bad for a skanky stripper," the 36-year-old said.
"They're the kind of fights that I like, I like tough fights, I'm a world champion and I don't want easy fights and she came to fight, she was hungry, she was fierce but I'm just better and that's why I'm the world champ.
"It was a real, 'Take that. How do you like them apples?' moment.
"I'm not usually disrespectful to my opponents but she's been so disrespectful to me the whole time, so I can't really give her that much respect but she can hit, she can bang.
"I'm very satisfied with that win, I hope Australia is proud of me now and I hope you all know who the queen of Australian boxing is now."
Bridges' promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom said he'd like to see her challenge for more belts.
"She can really fight. Being in exciting fights like that are going to take you to the next level," Hearn said.
"I really feel now that Ebanie Bridges needs to unify the division and try and become undisputed at bantamweight.
"She's so tough, she's got such a great engine, she can punch hard and she deserves the credit now."