Skye Nicolson makes the maiden defence of her world title against Dyana Vargas on July 13 (July 14 in Australia).
Nicolson (10-0) held the interim WBC featherweight title to start 2023. The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist won the vacant title against Sarah Mahfoud in April after Amanda Serrano relinquished it.
A fight against Serrano for undisputed gold has been a tough ask, given Serrano’s request for 12 three-minute round fights. Nicolson is ready to hold all the gold but must first overcome Vargas.
“Although it’s just my 11th fight, I truly believe I am the best featherweight in the world,” Nicolson said. “I want to find a way to capture the other belts, my dream is to become undisputed, and I’m willing to take whatever challenges necessary to achieve that. I look forward to making a statement on July 13, live on DAZN.”
Vargas (19-1) is on a three-fight win streak and has 12 wins via knockout. The 32-year-old from the Dominican Republic competes in the U.S. for the first time in her career.
MORE: Every current Australian boxing world champion
Who is Skye Nicolson?
Nicolson is a 28-year-old former Olympian who has started her professional career with a bang.
The Australian southpaw is 10-0 in the paid ranks, having left a decorated amateur career behind after a heart-breaking loss in the Tokyo Olympics.
Born and raised in Queensland, Nicolson now calls Bromley, near London, home, training under Eddie Lam at Ibox Gym.
Nicolson's entire pro career has been under the Matchroom Boxing banner and has seen her fight in USA, England, Australia, Wales, Mexico and Ireland.
In September 2023, Nicolson claimed the interim WBC world featherweight title when outpointing Sabrina Perez in Tijuana.
She then scored the first stoppage of her career to defend the belt against Lucy Wildheart on the undercard to Katie Taylor's rematch victory over Chantelle Cameron.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist won the vacant title against Sarah Mahfoud in April, 2024 after Amanda Serrano relinquished it.
What's next for Skye Nicolson?
Throughout much of 2023, Nicolson had been weighing up whether to return to the amateur ranks in order to have another crack at Olympic gold in Paris.
In the end, she decided to remain in the pros and she’s confident it's the right decision as she eyes off new goals.
“I didn’t have that same hunger and that same drive that I once had and I knew that my horizons had broadened and the Olympic games wasn’t my priority anymore,” she said.
“It became an easy decision, I’m so all-in on my pro career, there’s been a switch in me and I think you’ve probably seen that in my last two fights.
“I would love to be crowned undisputed and have an undisputed Australian world champion.
“I’d love to get them one by one. Beat the best in that sanctioning body’s rankings, beat the best in that sanctioning body’s rankings.
“I feel like 2024 is the year that I become one of the big names that can be in superfights.”
Skye Nicolson record and bio
- Nationality: Australian
- Born: August 27, 1995 (age 28)
- Height: 5-5 1/2 (166cm)
- Reach: 68 1/2 inches (174cm)
- Total fights: 10
- Record: 10-0 with 1 win via knockout