Skye Nicolson Still On Course For The World Title

Skye Nicolson Still On Course For The World Title

While all the focus and the drama was at the top of last weekend’s Matchroom card in New York, a few hours before undisputed status was settled in two weight divisions Skye Nicolson advanced her career to 6-0 and picked up the WBC Silver featherweight title in the process when she beat the previously undefeated Tania Alvarez on points over 10 rounds.

Nicolson had talked about making a statement and solidifying her claims that she will be ready for a world title fight of her own in 2023, even if that means having to challenge Amanda Serrano who in the main event at the weekend outpointed the tough Mexican Erika Cruz in bruising savage fight for the undisputed world featherweight title. It didn’t quite go to plan for the Australian despite widely outpointing the tough but limited Alvarez by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and a way too close 97-93, a scorecard which in truth is hard to justify. Nicolson was a rare winner on the night who can be considered hard done to on the cards. Her previous fight where she won the Commonwealth title against Krystina Jacobs was another fight where Nicolson appeared to dominate every single round but the judges seemed to award Jacobs rounds out of sympathy.

Alvarez was crude and aggressive and as Nicolson admitted afterwards, she made the Commonwealth champion work for her win. It wasn’t quite what the immensely talented southpaw wanted from her night’s work, but it might be one of those fights that will make Nicolson a better fighter with the passing of time. There is no doubt the unbeaten featherweight prospect has talent, and plenty of it, and had sailed effortlessly and virtually untouched in her first five professional fights since she turned over to the paid ranks last March. But the ambitious fighter wanted more out of her performance on her latest trip to America and more of a test in preparation for a possible world title fight later this year. Alvarez wasn’t the first-choice opponent for Nicolson in New York, offers were made to far more experienced fighters and ones that would elevate her a little higher up the rankings. But when all those offers came to nothing Nicolson had to take what was in the offering and face the previously unbeaten Spanish fighter.

The win was never in doubt from the opening seconds, Nicolson was several levels above her brave opponent, who never stopped coming forward trying to save her night. It might not have seemed it at the time, but it was a fight for many reasons, which Nicolson needed at this stage of her career. Breezing through the early stages of a career untested can give a false impression of what lies ahead. Nicolson, if she didn’t know before, now knows not everything will be plain sailing as she navigates her way to that maiden world title opportunity.

It was by no means a bad performance, but from what we have seen before, and now expect, it didn’t quite match those high expectations. And that is a compliment to Nicolson. We set the bar higher. But make no mistake, Nicolson sets it even higher. Much higher.

Nicolson has admitted it wasn’t her best performance. But as the narrative always says, it was a good learning fight. A night and a fight that brings reflection on what needs to be done to match the lofty ambitions that the former Olympian has. But the naysayers should be warned it doesn’t change those ambitions. Sometimes we have to give credit to the opponent or accept that sometimes the A side fights down to the level of the opponent in front of them. Nicolson/Alvarez had a little bit of the two.

As Serrano set about her undisputed quest, Nicolson was ringside and would have been encouraged by what she saw. Serrano won, but it was another ageing fight, a savage fight and one that takes a little piece of both winner and loser. Serrano will next rematch Katie Taylor for all things undisputed up at lightweight and win or lose, Serrano will put more miles on the clock. Nicolson, especially with her elusive style of fighting could very be in the right place at the right time when Serrano returns to her more natural waters.

Nicolson will sit and wait, maybe not so patiently, and will probably take another couple of learning fights before Serrano is ready to defend her featherweight baubles again. Those baubles may even splinter into a million pieces if mandatory obligations and sanctioning fees cancel out integrity and common sense. Those months of waiting and further learning will only benefit Nicolson.

Many will write off the chances of Nicolson on the world stage based on her performance against Alvarez, but those that do that and ignore what came before may well be left disappointed when that inevitable maiden world title opportunity arrives. Nicolson isn’t lost in all her own hype, she realised she could have done more against Alvarez. She isn’t a fighter blinded and deceived by her arrogance and delusion. That bodes well for her future.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing