Skye Nicolson: First Title, More To Follow

Skye Nicolson: First Title, More To Follow

Away from the bright lights of the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night, another one of boxing’s shining lights had already performed elsewhere in the boxing world.

Several hours before Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall served up the perfect finalie on a night of many celebrations, Skye Nicolson had already performed and had moved effortlessly and impressively to her first professional title in her native land.

Nicolson unbeaten and largely untouched in five professional outings comfortably beat Tasmania’s Krystina Jacobs on points and claimed the Commonwealth featherweight title in the process. The judges saw it 100-89. 99-90 and 98-91. The first card mirrored my own tally. I had Nicolson winning 100-89. A fight that was very easy to score, and Nicolson dominated practically every second of it.

A 4th round knockdown demonstrated again the power that is beginning to develop and show, but equally so, the precision and timing of her punches were evident once again. The incredible distance control she has is in truth, her biggest asset. Practically impossible to hit, Nicolson will be extremely difficult to beat.

The win over Jacobs was in relative obscurity in comparison to the mega all-female that was held in London a few hours later. But Nicolson made yet another little statement, and showed further glimpses of her potential. Nicolson and Caroline Dubois, who also impressed on the very same day, are in competition for the best prospect in the sport. If people think the women’s side of the sport peaked on Saturday. They need to rethink.

The Australian is already back in camp, looking to add one more fight to her resume before her fighting year ends. Leaving 2022 at 6-0 will be a nice little send-off to her first year as a professional.

Nicolson is ambitious and told me her intentions earlier this month:

“I’ve got big goals I want to achieve and I know what I am capable of. I’m confident, I back myself and if the opportunity comes I am going to take it. Whoever has got the belts I’ll be ready for them. If that is Serrano, then yes, I’ll be ready for her.”

Ambitious and a fighter very much in a hurry. Amanda Serrano might seem a stretch for a fighter still in the embryonic stages of her career. But Nicolson sees it differently. The featherweight division is loaded with talent and potential rivalries that will grow their sport further. Raven Chapman and an old Olympic rival Karriss Artingstall will undoubtedly chase and be in consideration for a fight with Nicolson at some point in 2023. The step up in opposition will show us just how good Nicolson really is. From what we have seen so far, the signs are that Nicolson will not be found wanting.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing