Skye Nicolson and Lulu Juarez Win and More Fight News
By David A. Avila
Australia’s Skye Nicolson returned to the prize ring with her blend of uber athleticism and soundly defeated former world champion Gabriela Bouvier of Uruguay.
It was Nicolson’s (4-0) fourth victory in three months as she easily out-scored Bouvier (15-11-1) in a featherweight clash at Cardiff, Wales on Saturday. The South American fighter formerly held the world title as a flyweight.
The Aussie fighter with fast hands and fast feet improves every time she steps in the ring. Her trainer has quickly stopped her amateur habits of hit and run tactics that carried her to the Olympics. She has adapted a more pro style.
Professional boxing is very different and Nicolson and team understand this.
Unlike amateur boxing, where a boxer simply wants to out-score the opponent, pro fighting is all about entertainment. No one wants to see a fighter run around the ring and fire jabs. If a fighter has that kind of athletic superiority, then they should be able to knock the opponent out.
Knockouts are what sell tickets, not jabs.
One of the drawbacks in women’s prizefighting has been the lack of knockouts. Another has been the two-minute round. So far promoters are to blame. Most have been unwilling to demand three-minute rounds. They claim it’s the boxing commissions and that’s just not true. No commission bans three-minute rounds.
Only the WBC organization has a ban on three-minute rounds. All the other sanctioning organizations like the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO allow three-minute rounds.
Getting back to Skye Nicolson, the Aussie ignited her pro career in San Diego where she proceeded to run around the ring for most of the fight. Yes, she out-scored her foe that night Jessica Juarez. But exchanges were few and seemed more like an amateur match than pro.
By her third fight, at Madison Square Garden, Nicolson had dispensed with the running tactics and has proceeded to use her athletic prowess in a more aggressive and entertaining fashion. She improves every time she enters the prize ring.
The knockouts should come.
Nicolson, 26, is following the road of other amateur standouts like Katie Taylor, Mikaela Mayer and Claressa Shields who adapted more pro skills and are able to stay in the pocket while dealing out punishment.
She could be the next super star.
Lulu Wins in Zacatecas
WBC super flyweight world titlist Lourdes “La Pequena” Juarez cruised to victory over Argentina’s Debora Vanesa Gomez after 10 rounds last Saturday in Zacatecas, Mexico.
It was Juarez’ third world title defense since winning the WBC belt in December 2020.
For years Juarez had to wait at the back of the line. She had campaigned most of her career at flyweight but was unable to get a shot at the title. When she was offered a fight at super flyweight she accepted and won.
Now the Mexico City fighter and younger sister of Mariana “Barby” Juarez, has established herself as one of her country’s best skilled fighters. She has quick hands, quick feet and a keen sense of timing that is difficult to teach.
“I want to fight abroad maybe to unify,” said Juarez, 35, who has never fought outside of Mexico.
Juarez and her sisters always remain ready. They have long been one of the most recognized boxing families in their country.
More Fight News
Argentina
On Friday June 10, super featherweights Lorena Agoutborde (2-2-2) and Lilian Silva (4-13-1) meet six rounds at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Taylah Robertson (5-1) defeated Sarah Higginson (3-1-1) by unanimous decision after five rounds on Sunday June 5. The flyweight match took place at Melbourne.
On Saturday June 11, super featherweights Krystina Jacobs (5-3) and Sara Jalonen (2-1) meet six rounds for the Australian title at Hobart, Tasmania.
Canada
Flor Carrera (2-0-1) defeated Sara Couillard (0-1) by unanimous decision after four rounds on Thursday June 2. The bantamweight match was held in Montreal.
Dominican Republic
On Saturday June 11, featherweights Liliana Martinez (23-18) and Grecia Nova Mateo (17-28-4) meet 10 rounds at Santiago Rodriguez.
France
Sandy Meunier (3-0) won by split decision after six rounds versus Donya Darouiche (2-3) on Saturday June 4. The welterweight match took place at Nantes.
Flora Pili (5-0) knocked out Anna Ganova (0-5) in the first round on Saturday June 4. The lightweight fight was held at Forbach.
On Tuesday June 7, super flyweights Casey Morton (10-2-3) and Daniela Asenjo (11-3-3) meet 10 rounds for the IBO title at Paris.
Germany
Ema Kozin (22-1-1) stopped Szilvia Szabados (18-19) by technical knockout in the seventh round on Saturday June 4. The super welterweight title fight was held at Aalen.
Michaela Kotaskova (1-0-1) and Patricia Gonzalez (0-0-1) fought to a majority draw after four rounds on Saturday June 4. The welterweight fight took place at Baden.
Japan
On Friday June 10, minimumweights Miyuki Katsuya (2-2-1) and Mikiko Muto (2-6) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
On Sunday June 12, bantamweights Maka Yagio (2-1) and Nana Yamashita (1-1) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
Mexico
Lourdes Juarez (34-2) defeated Argentina’s Debora Vanesa Gomez (7-8-2) by unanimous decision on Saturday June 4. The WBC super flyweight world title match was held in Zacatecas.
Jackie Calvo (16-7-2) defeated Maria Salinas (26-8-5) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 4. The flyweight title fight took place at Mexico City.
On Friday June 10, super flyweights Paulette Valenzuea (13-2) and Clara Alcantara (5-6) meet eight rounds in Tijuana.
On Friday June 10, super bantamweights Mayerlin Rivas (16-4-2) and Karina Fernandez (17-6-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBA world title at Guadalajara.
Philippines
On Saturday June 11, minimumweights Shyna Mantiza (1-0) and Ralph Chien (0-0) meet four rounds at Malaybalay City.
South Africa
On Saturday June 11, lightweights Yolandi Gelderblom (0-0) and Sazisiwe Simon (0-0) meet four rounds at Gauteng.
United Arab Emirates
Nastaran Fathi (5-0) won by technical knockout in the second round over Mina Ghale (0-1) on Saturday June 4. The super bantamweight bout was held at Dubai.
United Kingdom
Skye Nicolson (4-0) won by unanimous decision over Gabriela Bouvier (15-11-1) after eight rounds on Saturday June 4. The featherweight match was held in Cardiff, Wales. Also, Ester Konecna (2-15-1) defeated Monique Bux (0-1) by decision after four super middleweight rounds.
Dee Allen (2-0) won by technical knockout in the fourth round versus Matilde Contreras (1-1) on Saturday June 4. The super welterweight match took place at Swindon, England.
Gemma Ruegg (3-3) won by decision after eight rounds against Claudia Ferenczi (20-93-8) on Friday June 3. The super bantamweight fight was held at Hampshire.
USA
On Friday June 10, super lightweights Jessica Camara (8-3) and Valenteri Keri (5-6) meet six rounds at Verona, New York. Also, welterweights Oshae Jones (0-0) and Sonya Dreiling (4-2) meet six rounds.
On Saturday June 11, flyweights Sulem Urbina (12-2-1) and Moni Trejo (2-2-1) tentatively meet six rounds at Phoenix.
On Saturday June 11, middleweights Elia Carranza (1-0) and Yannick Azanque (0-0) meet four rounds at Atlanta, Georgia.
On Saturday June 11, super bantamweights Jermesha Poke (2-0) and Brittany Dukes (0-1) meet four rounds at St. Louis, Missouri.