Ebanie Bridges shockingly came up short on her return to the ring on Saturday night.Bridges fought Alexis Araiza in Puerto Rico to mark her debut for Jake Paul‘s co-owned Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and the first time she had boxed since becoming a mother.GettyBridges struggled throughout the eight-round bout at 118lbs, although fans have credited her gritty performance[/caption]Araiza put on a career-best display to outpoint the Australian and secure a unanimous decision winGettyThe 39-year-old former IBF bantamweight champion from Australia welcomed her son, Ezerra Ray Brook, in February alongside former world champion Kell Brook.Bridges said her newborn son provided ‘a whole new level of motivation’ ahead of ending her 25-month hiatus from the sport.She last boxed Miyo Yoshida in December 2023, losing the IBF strap to the Japanese fighter via unanimous decision after 10 rounds, and returned on the undercard of Amanda Serrano vs Reina Tellez on Saturday.What happened on Ebanie Bridges’ boxing return?Bridges was a huge favourite heading into the bout due to her status as a former champion, but wound up suffering a unanimous decision defeat after eight rounds.One judge scored the contest 80-72, while the other two ruled it 78-74 in favour of Fort Worth native Araiza.Araiza boasted a solid amateur record of 10-7 before turning to the professional scene in 2022.But the 35-year-old was successful in only three of her opening six bouts after drawing on her debut in Philadelphia.Araiza, however, proved too much for Bridges at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, outboxing the Aussie puncher early doors before wobbling her with a strong right hand in the third.Bridges, to her credit, bit down on her mouth guard and continued fighting on, but kept finding herself on the receiving end of some nasty combinations from her opponent, who found it relatively easy to land.The crowd were then treated in the eighth and final round when both women met in the middle of the ring, standing and banging to close the show.Bridges left herself far too open to be hit throughout the eight-round fightGettyView Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerranoTellez?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwSpeaking after the fight, Araiza couldn’t have been happier.“I did really well in the amateurs, and I’ve had a pretty rough start in the pros,” she said.“I finally got the win on the best platform that I could have gotten it.“It means everything to get the opportunity and then to shine. It feels amazing.”Fans react to Bridges’ defeatThere was a fairly mixed reaction from fans when reacting to the fight, although some believe it could now be a very long road back for the former champion.One took to X and said: “From champion to losing to a 3-2 fighter?”But another wrote: “Hats off to Ebanie Bridges… to come back after two years and after having a child is true guts and courage. “Boxing is the toughest sport out there, and she deserves more than credit for taking this level of fight.”A third added: “Ebanie Bridges needs to retire. Absolutely nowhere near tonight. “She was never that good to begin with, but two years out and having a child definitely hasn’t done her any favours. A comprehensive beating.”While a fourth said: “Ebanie had a great run, but i think it’s time to [move on].”Also on the Puerto Rico card, former UFC champion Holly Holm was defeated by WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han, and Serrano proved too much for Tellez, earning a convincing unanimous decision win.