Skye Nicolson has somehow outpaced her already ambitious intentions for her first year as a pro.
The 2020 Olympic quarterfinalist and current featherweight prospect from Yatala, Australia was expecting a break after fighting three times in a span of just 56 days to start her career. Those plans changed in a good way when offered a spot on a June 4 DAZN show at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. The unexpected slot gives her two fights each in the U.S. and U.K. through her first three months in the pro ranks.
“When I turned professional it was always my intention to stay active and I’m very happy with my development so far,” Nicolson told BoxingScene.com. “I made a big commitment to move to the other side of the world (England) in order to give myself every opportunity to succeed and have so far been blessed with some great opportunities.
“I planned to fight three times before returning to Australia for a break but the opportunity arose to fight in Cardiff and it was an easy decision to make. It will be my 4th fight in 91 days and potentially my last before I move to championship rounds.”
Nicolson will face Uruguay’s Gabriela Bouvier (15-10-1, 3KOs), a former flyweight titlist. The bout is her first scheduled eight-round affair, serving in supporting capacity to IBF junior lightweight titlist Kenichi Ogawa (26-1-1, 18KOs) in his first title defense versus Cardiff’s own unbeaten challenger Joe Cordina (14-0, 8KOs).
It comes just five weeks after her last fight, a six-round, unanimous decision win over Houston’s Shanecqua Paisley Davis this past April 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“Skye heads back to Australia in June to have a rest and family time,” Paul Ready, Nicolson’s manager explained to BoxingScene.com in seizing the opportunity. “The chance came up to jump on Cardiff bill, her first eight-rounder and we took it. Planning to finish the year 6-0.”
Nicolson’s win over Paisley Davis came on a night topped by the historic pound-for-pound clash that saw Katie Taylor (21-0, 6KOs) barely outlast Amanda Serrano (42-2-1, 30KOs) to claim a split decision in their epic Fight of the Year-worthy battle.
For her part, Nicolson showed a more aggressive side after smoothly boxing her way to decision victories in her first two fights. The 26-year-old Aussie floored Paisley Davis in the closing seconds of their featherweight bout, drawing raucous cheers en route to her third straight shutout win along with accolades as a star in the making.
“I feel I’m improving in every fight and adapting to the professional game day in and day out in the gym at iBox Gym (in Bromley, England),” notes Nicolson, who is trained by noted cornerman Eddie Lam. “It’s been a great start to my professional career but just the beginning for me.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox