Queensland’s Skye Nicolson further solidified her position as one of the premier fighters in women’s boxing with a dominant unanimous decision victory over England’s Raven Chapman to retain her WBC featherweight title Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Judges scored the bout 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 in favor of the Australian champion.
Slick Boxing on Display in Title Defense
From the opening bell, it was evident that Nicolson’s rapid jab and elusive footwork would give Chapman fits. The Aussie controlled range masterfully, darting in and out and connecting with sharp shots while avoiding most of the challenger’s offense.
“My jab and movement were key tonight,” Nicolson said after her impressive performance. “We had a great gameplan and I was able to execute it. Raven is a tough fighter but I showed that I’m on another level.”
Wide Scorecards Reflect One-Sided Action
While Chapman had moments of success with some hard right hands, they were few and far between. Nicolson’s superior ring generalship was evident as she consistently beat the Brit to the punch and evaded return fire. The wide scorecards reflected the one-way traffic.
With this victory, her second title defense, Nicolson improves to a perfect 12-0 with 1 knockout. The 29-year-old has been on a rapid rise since capturing gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and then picking up the vacant WBC 126-pound title in December of that year. She now appears primed for unification showdowns with the other featherweight beltholders:
- Amanda Serrano – WBO/WBA
- Nina Meinke – IBF
Path to Potential Serrano Superfight
The most tantalizing matchup would undoubtedly be against Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano, widely regarded as the best female boxer today. The multi-division world champion added Nicolson’s WBC belt to her collection last April but was then forced to relinquish it due to inactivity.
“Amanda Serrano is the fight I want,” Nicolson affirmed. “I have a ton of respect for her but I truly believe I have the style to beat her. Hopefully we can make it happen next year.”
With this emphatic title defense, Nicolson continues to make her case as arguably the most skilled boxer in the talent-rich women’s featherweight division. Her technique, poise and ring IQ belie her relative pro inexperience, as she’s adapted the boxing style that brought her Olympic success to the pro ranks seamlessly.
Australia’s World Champion Making Waves
The undefeated Queenslander’s meteoric rise and all-action style have quickly made her a fan favorite and one of the new faces of Australian boxing. Her bouts have been drawing impressive viewership on Australian television and her stardom seems to only be growing.
“The support I’ve gotten from fans back home is unreal,” Nicolson said. “I’m proud to be waving the Aussie flag on the world stage and showing everyone the boxing talent we have. This is still just the beginning.”
Indeed, with her sights now set firmly on featherweight supremacy and potential superfights, Australia’s humble champion appears destined for even bigger things ahead. The future is undoubtedly bright for Skye Nicolson as she continues to shine under the bright lights and etch her name into boxing lore.
