Summary

  • Conor Benn beats Colombian Samuel Vargas in first round of welterweight clash in London

  • British boxer edging closer to world title shot - 18 wins from 18 fights

  • Shannon Courtenay wins WBA bantamweight title with hard-fought victory over Australia's Ebanie Bridges

  • WBO super-middleweight champion Savannah Marshall retains title against Sweden's Maria Lindberg

Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Head-to-head

    Shannon Courtenay v Ebanie Bridges records.

  2. 'Hard work gets you here, not flaunting your body'

    Shannon Courtenay v Ebanie Bridges (vacant WBA world bantamweight title)

    Shannon Courtenay v Ebanie BridgesMatchroom Boxing

    British boxer Shannon Courtenay has criticised Australian rival Ebanie Bridges for "flaunting her body" and says she will instead work to promote boxing "for the right reasons".

    "I feel like women's boxing needs more eyes on the sport," said Bridges, who has worn lingerie to past weigh-ins. "We need to do whatever we can. This same way I've got noticed is the same way I'm getting this fight noticed.

    "If we can get as many people as possible to watch the fight, then Shannon and I can show to a more diverse number of viewers that women can fight. Winning this world title will show people you don't have to be like everybody else to achieve these goals."

    But Courtenay, who has won six of her seven fights to date, said: "I can understand why she's saying she wants to get more eyes on the sport, but I want to get more viewers for the correct reasons.

    "[Irish two-weight world champion] Katie Taylor didn't work her backside off to pave the way for women like Ebanie and me to talk about underwear.

    "I've got a 14-year-old sister, my coaches have daughters. I want to be a good role model and show them hard work and motivation gets you here. Not flaunting your body."

  3. 'An opportunity to change my entire life'

    A world title would cap a remarkable journey for 27-year-old Shannon Courtenay, who has previously spoken to BBC Sport about battling her weight, and giving up a party lifestyle and cigarette habit before turning her focus to boxing.

    "This is more than just a fight - this is an opportunity for me to change my entire life, my family's life," added Courtenay. "This is the reason I got into boxing and I'm excited to achieve my dream."

    She won the first five fights of her career, but then in August lost to fellow Briton Rachel Ball, who had been due to fight Courtenay again tonight but Ball had to pull out after she contracted Covid-19 earlier this year.

    Shannon CourtenayMark Robinson & Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

  4. Tonight's schedule

    10 x 2 mins vacant WBA Bantamweight World title

    Shannon Courtenay (England - 8st 5lbs 14oz) v Ebanie Bridges (Australia - 8st 5lbs 0oz)

    followed by

    10 x 2 mins WBO Middleweight World title

    Savannah Marshall (England - 11st 5lbs 10oz) v Maria Lindberg (Sweden - 11st 0lbs 2oz)

    followed by

    12 x 3 mins WBA Continental Welterweight title

    Conor Benn (England - 10st 6lbs 12oz) v Samuel Vargas (Colombia - 10st 6lbs 10oz)

  5. Thanks for joining us

    Two world title fights and a talented undefeated fighter looking to move closer to getting a title shot.

    It's a big night of boxing.

    Shannon Courtenay aims to win the vacant WBA Women's Bantamweight belt, Savannah Marshall hopes to retain her WBO Women's Middleweight Championship before Conor Benn puts his unbeaten record and WBA Continental Welterweight belt on the line against tough Colombian Samuel Vargas.

    Conor BennMatchroom Boxing