Shannon Courtenay will face Ebanie Bridges for the vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title on Saturday, April 10.

The fight, at a venue to be confirmed, will be live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.

Courtenay (6-1, 3 KOs), who stopped Dorota Norek in seven rounds on the Saunders vs Murray undercard last time out in December, was originally slated to rematch Rachel Ball for the WBA crown, but her Fight Camp nemesis is still recovering from the effects of COVID-19.

Australia's Bridges (5-0, 2 KOs) celebrated her return to the ring after more than a year out with a convincing points win over Carol Earl in Sydney. 'The Blonde Bomber' won the judges’ favour and secured a unanimous decision victory in Bankstown to extend her unbeaten run to five fights, including two knockouts.

"I was gutted to hear Rachel had pulled out but safety comes first so I wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to when we do have that rematch down the line," said Courtenay.

"All that’s changed is the opponent. The outcome is still the same and on April 10 I will be crowned World Champion.

"We‘ll put on a great, non-stop action fight for the fans but I’m more determined and focused than ever and that World Title is staying in the UK."

Bridges said: "I’m very excited to be the first female from Australia fighting on a Matchroom card.

"When Eddie contacted me, it was really unexpected but I’m not going to say no to this chance.

"I was gutted for Rachel as she’s a friend and I wish her well in recovery but opportunity knocks. This is a fight that fans have spoke about for a while now since I moved onto the British scene. I respect Shannon as a boxer, I think we’ll put on a great show but I’ll be the one leaving with the gold.

Islington Gazette: Shannon Courtenay ahead of her fight with Rachel Ball (Pic: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)Shannon Courtenay ahead of her fight with Rachel Ball (Pic: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing) (Image: Archant)

"This is a huge platform to showcase my skills and who I am, The Blonde Bomber, to the world. I’ll bring the fight to Shannon – I’m coming to win that World Title, buckle up!"