Ringside Report: Skye Nicolson Stops Lucy Wildheart in Dublin

Ringside Report: Skye Nicolson Stops Lucy Wildheart in Dublin

The first stoppage has been a long time coming for Skye Nicolson, but in Dublin on Saturday night, the Australian recorded her first inside the distance victory of her nine-fight professional career courtesy of a 9th round stoppage over Lucy Wildheart.

Nicolson was dominant for the vast majority of their contest. I gave Wildheart the 3rd, but the former Olympian emphatically won everything else on route to a little bit of a statement making performance. Wildheart only had two previous defeats on her resume, both at lightweight and both on points. Nicolson became the first fighter to stop her and can be extremely pleased with her night’s work. The stoppage did seem to come out of nowhere, but Nicolson was starting to turn the screw.

Wildheart struggled to get into range from the opening bell, and when she did, Nicolson twisted and turned effectively, peppering Wildheart all night long. Some may not like her style, but they must also see that she must be an absolute nightmare to fight.

Those who want blood guts and thunder will not appreciate Skye Nicolson. But the purists would have liked what they saw. You can be super critical of her work if blood and guts are indeed your thing. Too much time spent on the back foot. Her combinations could have a few more punches and a little bit more pop attached to them. But while Nicolson is still very much evolving, the elusiveness is her biggest weapon. Her style works, and you can quickly be three or four rounds down without landing a punch of any note. Make no mistake, Nicolson will be an extremely difficult fighter to beat.

Nicolson defended her WBC Interim featherweight title, and she will now be called as the mandatory challenger to Amanda Serrano. The issues around Serrano and the WBC’s stand-off over three-minute rounds have been well-documented, and without a quick resolution, Serrano will likely be stripped or be forced to vacate her WBC bauble. Nicolson wants to test her unique skills against Serrano, and that fight has much intrigue. The hope is we get the movement that allows Serrano and Nicolson to fight each other in the early part of 2024.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing