Skye Nicolson: The WBC Title & Beyond

Skye Nicolson: The WBC Title & Beyond

Another fighting year begins. Another training camp with it. Camp number ten has now officially begun. The most important one of her professional career to date. A world title fight incoming. Sarah Mahfoud and the vacant WBC featherweight title await. 

Skye Nicolson has entered 2024 with a real purpose. And no little hope. In the previous twelve months, Nicolson abandoned one dream to focus on another. The Olympic hopes were cast aside. A realisation that time moves on. The career and her mind needed to also.

That path to world title glory has undoubtedly been made a little easier by Amanda Serrano giving up the WBC bauble. But any criticism of Nicolson, or any downgrading of any impending world title coronation, should be made with a touch of balance and context. The Australian was the mandatory challenger for the WBC title, and it was Serrano who gave up the belt to concentrate on her remaining titles and her stance on only fighting three-minute rounds for the remainder of her career. The quality of opposition for Serrano going forward will likely be a little lower than it could have been as a result. Some of the superstars of her sport may not now entertain her.

But make no mistake, it was a fight Nicolson desperately wanted. And still does.

“Whoever has got the belts I’ll be ready for them. If that is Serrano, then yes, I’ll be ready for her.” Nicolson told me in 2022. Even back then, Nicolson had eyes on Serrano. The former Olympian is not only chasing WBC honours. Nicolson wants undisputed status to follow soon after. Serrano, with it. The WBC title and Mahfoud might be next, but Nicolson still wants that dance with Amanda Serrano.

Serrano, at some point, will surely be part of her future. While many will predict the imminent demise of Nicolson, should she ever share a ring with Serrano, the Australian sees it very differently and has said many times that her style is all wrong for the former undisputed world featherweight champion. That viewpoint does, at the very least, have some substance to it. Just maybe, even a little more than that.

Nicolson has incredible conviction in her unique skills. Her self-confidence is incredibly impressive. The words of the Australian carry weight, but her evasive and awkward style is, in truth, her biggest weapon. You can quite quickly be three or four rounds down without landing any punch of note, with the fight practically being lost before you know it. Being a southpaw and elusive carries many benefits. Her previous nine opponents will surely testify to that.

Nicolson has glided her way virtually untouched to nine wins since she turned professional in 2022. Only one relatively tough night threatened to test her resolve. A learning fight that made Nicolson reevaluate and evolve.

Last time out in Dublin, Nicolson showed that evolution. An impressive stoppage victory over Lucy Wildheart that highlighted perfectly the difficulty opponents have in finding her. She was supposed to win. But not like that.

Nicolson is now back in camp, awaiting a firm date and location. April has been mentioned. Australia also. Another homecoming for the former elite amateur. This time, with a world title on the line. A potentially special night for both fighter and country. Nicolson will hope it comes. But there are other options. Either way, her moment of truth is near.

The odds will heavily favour Nicolson in her upcoming fight with Mahfoud. The Olympic journey ended without reward. But the professional ranks will surely bring glitter and gold in the next few months. At 28, Skye Nicolson will only get better. Even the doomsday online ‘experts’ might soon have to reevaluate her chances against Amanda Serrano.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing