Aussie boxing star Skye Nicolson has opened up on the “bittersweet” circumstances surrounding her elevation to world champion, admitting it was not the moment she had envisioned as she outlined a wishlist of blockbuster fights for the future.
Speaking to Fox Sports Australia, the Brisbane southpaw also addressed her ongoing feud with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and the prospect of a major unification showdown on home soil later this year.
Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker plus Nelson Asofa-Solomona vs George Burgess. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Last week, Nicolson became a two-weight world champion after being elevated to the vacant WBC super-bantamweight title following Ellie Scotney’s decision to vacate the belt.
Scotney had been ordered to defend her crown against Nicolson, who held the interim title, but instead relinquished the championship, denying the Aussie the chance to win it in the ring.
“No one really wants to become world champion overnight in those circumstances,” Nicolson said.
“But I fought for the interim title against a world-class opponent, I defended it, and I was in position to fight Ellie. I did everything I could – so yeah, it’s bittersweet.
“I feel like that was the biggest fight in the division, but I wish Ellie all the best in her endeavours at featherweight. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll fight at featherweight.”
With the title now around her waist, Nicolson’s attention has already shifted to her next challenge – former two-division, three-time world champion Miyo Yoshida.
While the official location has yet to be confirmed, Nicolson expects the bout to take place in the United States in August.
“I’m excited for the challenge. I think she’s a great fighter,” said Nicolson.
“These are the fights that I want to be in. She’s a very good boxer and I think our styles will clash well.”
And after that?
“The plan is to be in a big unification fight before the end of the year in Australia,” she revealed.
“So fingers crossed that’s what will happen following the Yoshida fight.
“But all eyes on the fight first, and then hopefully a big unification fight – it’ll be my first one ever.”
With the division thrown into uncertainty following Scotney’s decision to vacate, the race to unify the titles is now wide open.
One possible opponent for Nicolson is former champ Mayelli Flores.
“There is talk about me fighting Flores,” said Nicolson.
“I know that she’s quite highly ranked with a couple of the other organisations – so it’s likely that she could get another belt while I’m fighting Yoshida, and then we could do a unification fight at the end of the year.”
Nicolson has had a running feud with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, with the Australian previously claiming the company “hate” that she is one of the biggest names in women’s boxing.
Over the past two years, MVP has played a major role in elevating women’s boxing, signing several leading fighters including Australians Cherneka Johnson, Desley Robinson and Ebanie Bridges.
Recently, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said he would be open to working with Matchroom Boxing and Nicolson.
“I don’t have any contact with MVP,” Nicolson said when asked about Bidarian’s comments.
“If he’s [Bidarian] has been quoted saying that, then maybe they would be open to me being on their cards.
“I think they only want to put me in fights that they think they can beat me in. I don’t think they’ll be open to making fights with me that they don’t feel confident they’ll win.
“Obviously, they want their fighters to win, that’s fine. But yeah, I don’t know.
“I don’t know where that’s at right now. Obviously, Flores is with MVP, so potentially for that unification fight we would be working with MVP.”
The Aussie star also believes that, as much as they won’t admit it, MVP need her.
“I think it was just yesterday they were using my name to sell Tiara Brown’s next fight,” she said.
“So I think they need me…
“I’m chasing big fights. I want to be in the big fights, and I want to be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
“I need the right dance partners to do that, and obviously MVP will have to probably be a part of that.”
Wild finish ends in stoppage controversy | 01:35
When asked by Fox Sports Australia to name a wishlist of potential opponents, Nicolson didn’t need long to think about it.
“Ellie Scotney is on there. I think that would have been more of a legacy fight.
“The Amanda Serrano fight that I’ve been very vocal about wanting for years now – I think it would be huge for my legacy and I don’t even think it would be a close fight. But I don’t think it’ll happen.
“The Tiara Brown fight would also be on there for personal reasons – a bit of revenge for that one.
“They’d probably be the biggest fights, if I was to put a little wish list together.
“I want to win belts, I want to become undisputed champion.
“I want to be happy when I retire, knowing I lived out my potential.”