Skye Nicolson: Beyond The Ropes

Skye Nicolson: Beyond The Ropes

Skye Nicolson is almost certainly the best super-bantamweight on the planet. All she needs is the four belts to prove it, and to remove all doubt. The plan going forward is to do exactly that.

Nicolson currently holds just one of those precious baubles. In the early part of 2027, the Australian will hope that changes. The 31-year-old needs and wants the remaining three to crown herself undisputed.

After moving over to the Most Valuable Promotions elite roster of female talent, Nicolson hopes those unification fights will now come her way. They should.

This weekend in Arlington, Texas, she defends her WBC world super-bantamweight title against Miyo Yoshida (19-5). The 38-year-old Japanese fighter has enjoyed multiple reigns as a world champion. But they came at the lower weights. Yoshida is unlikely to repeat that success against Nicolson (16-1). The Australian is a big super-bantamweight. In many ways, the size of the task looks far too much for Yoshida. Nicolson is the odds-on favourite at 1/16 to retain her WBC bauble. You can get around 10/1 if you fancy the upset. I doubt there will be many takers.

If, as expected, Nicolson beats Yoshida, thoughts will turn to what’s next. Mikiah Kreps and Ramla Ali fight for the vacant WBO and IBF world super-bantamweight titles on the same MVP card this weekend. Kreps is favoured to win, but regardless of who picks up two titles in Texas, Nicolson will surely get the winner.

Melissa Mortensen has the WBA title currently in her possession; Nicolson will have the unbeaten Danish fighter in her sights at some point. The former WBC featherweight champion wants the full set. It looks well within her reach if those dastardly boxing politics don’t get in the way.

That switch to the Jake Paul revolution of women’s boxing should serve her well. If that undisputed status does come her way, Nicolson will likely then target a return to the featherweight ranks. Tiara Brown took away the unbeaten record of Nicolson last year. A defeat that cost the Australian her WBC 126-pound title. Nicolson has always wanted the rematch. It will be interesting if it materialises. But as they say, it takes two.

Ellie Scotney is another fighter of interest. Like Brown, Scotney is aligned with MVP. The former undisputed world super-bantamweight champion recently moved up to featherweight and was scheduled to fight Tiara Brown this weekend, but withdrew due to injury. Brown and Scotney will reschedule their fight for next year. The winner will be on Skye Nicolson radar. Either, for different reasons, offers Nicolson a fight of much intrigue. And importance.

After a frustrating period in her career, those marquee fights should now arrive for Nicolson. Being outside of the MVP bubble left Nicolson with limited options. Now they seem plentiful.