Skye Nicolson Defends WBC Title; Amanda Serrano, Claressa Shields and More News
By David A. Avila
Australia’s super talented Skye Nicolson keeps the WBC featherweight title warm for the actual champion this weekend in Philadelphia.
Nicolson (10-0, 1 KO) meets Dominican fighter Dyana Vargas (19-1, 12 Kos) on Saturday July 13, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pa. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.
This is the fifth appearance on American shores for Nicolson who made her pro debut two years ago in San Diego. Since that time, she’s made few adjustments to her amateur style of touch and run boxing.
In many ways she’s like Shakur Stevenson.
Because of the two-minute round fight fans see even less action when Nicolson enters the boxing ring. What transpires is a match where she lands a jab and moves out of range. Or if she gets too close inside to a foe, the good old-fashion clinch comes into play.
The Aussie is capable of much, much more.
When a fighter has incredibly fast hands, fast feet and is southpaw, they have tremendous advantages and should be able to easily handle any opposition. Nicolson also has power, but it’s seldom used.
For a brief period, the Aussie champion was transitioning to a pro style until she met Spain’s pressure fighter Tania Alvarez. But after that tussle that took place in Madison Square Garden in February 2023, Nicolson reverted back to her safety-first mode. She can do much more.
Now she wants undisputed featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano.
Of course, everyone wants Serrano and a hefty payday that comes with it. But the Puerto Rican super star has bigger more lucrative challenges to face in Katie Taylor, Chantelle Cameron and other entertaining bouts.
Entertainment is the key and something that Serrano has been able to provide for more than a decade. It’s also a missing ingredient in Nicolson’s repertoire. The Aussie southpaw has incredible athleticism, looks and an excellent trainer. But the lack of fight action in her contests just doesn’t draw fans.
Nicolson only has 10 fights so far. There is time to make necessary adjustments.
“I feel I’ve come a long ways from the boxer I was to the boxer I am right now,” said Nicolson on social media. “It’s a big opportunity this weekend to showcase the stuff we’ve been working on and developing. I feel like I’m boxing completely different. It’s a whole new style.”
Hopefully, the budding star keeps heading in that direction. She definitely has all the ingredients to ravage the featherweight division and more.
“I want to be the GOAT of the featherweight division,” said Nicolson. “I think I will be remembered as one of the best across all divisions.”
On Saturday fans worldwide get another look at Australia’s Nicolson.
Amanda Serrano in Florida
Undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano will be moving up in weight to face Stevie Morgan on July 20, in Tampa, Florida.
In case you missed it, the change from Katie Taylor to Morgan happened due to an injury to Mike Tyson who was scheduled to fight Serrano’s promoter Jake Paul on the main event in Texas. That card has been moved to November 15, later this year.
Serrano (46-2-1, 30 Kos) will be fighting at lightweight against Morgan (14-1, 13 Kos) a heavy-hitter originally from Tampa. It will be home advantage for the challenger. Or will it? DAZN will stream the card.
Claressa Shields Honors Two Detroit women
It was announced on Tuesday that Claressa Shields will be presenting her first ever GWOAT award to a couple of Detroit female leaders Jackie Kallen and Dotti Sharp on Saturday July 27, the date of Shields pro fight for the heavyweight world title against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Kallen is legendary in the boxing world as a promoter and manager of both men and women. A movie was made of her life story called Against the Ropes and starred Meg Ryan portraying Kallen.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award from a woman that I greatly admire,” said Kallen who formerly managed James Toney and Bronco McKart. “Claressa has accomplished so much and gives back to the community in so many ways. It’s always inspiring when successful women support and promote each other. I am looking forward to July 27 and a big win for Claressa!”
Sharp is a community activist and co-founder of Michigan Community Resources’ “Power of One Dedicated Woman” awards.
More Female Fight News
Argentina
On Saturday July 13, flyweights Carla Battista (1-0) and Micaela Torres (0-1) meet four rounds at Saladillo.
Australia
Enja Ryan (6-2-1) defeated Archana Sharma (3-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday July 6. The welterweight bout took place at Tamworth.
On Wednesday July 10, bantamweights Amber Amelia (4-3) and Connie Brown (2-0-1) meet six rounds at Wollongong. Also, super bantamweights Shanell Dargan (4-1-2) and Pannaporn Kaewpawong (4-1) meet five rounds.
Colombia
Precious Harris-McCray (3-0) knocked out Welkaris Martinez (0-1) in the first round on Friday July 5. The super welterweight bout was held in Cartagena.
Lira Huyke 7-5-1) knocked out Angelica Araujo (2-4-1) in the fourth round on Tuesday July 2. The lightweight fight was held in Santa Marta.
Precious Harris-McCray (2-0) knocked out Yurleidys Hernandez (0-3) in the second round on Monday July 1. The super welterweight fight took place in Cartagena.
Czech Republic
On Saturday July 13, super flyweights Dorota Norek (7-5) and Nikola Kaya (0-1) meet four rounds at Usti nad Labem.
France
Justine Lallemand (11-3-1) beat Inna Statkevych (6-6-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday July 6. The French flyweight title match took place in Charleville.
Romane Moulai (1-0) knocked out Myrvete Nazaj (0-3) in the fourth round on Saturday July 6. The bantamweight fight was held in Drancy.
Japan
Megumi Watanabe (3-0-5) beat Yurie Kishi (3-2-1) by decision after six rounds on Tuesday July 2. The minimumweight match took place in Tokyo.
On Sunday July 14, light flyweights Yumemi Ikemoto (8-2) and Niratchaporn Tanomsaksree (5-1) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Nakagami.
Mexico
On Saturday July 13, super featherweights Czarina McCoy (12-2) and Lilliana Palmera (31-16-3) meet 10 rounds in Colima.
Russia
On Thursday July 11, bantamweights Karina Tazabekova (2-0) and Revai Madondo (8-3-1) meet six rounds at St. Petersburg. Also, welterweights Diana Filina (0-0) and Angelina Ganyukova (0-0) meet four.
South Korea
On Saturday July 13, flyweights Myung Ji Lee (0-1) and Eun Ji Lee (1-1) meet four rounds at Yangju.
Thailand
Tanyarak Gokbungkhla (2-3) defeated Sitanan Boonmee (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Thursday July 4. The light flyweight fight was held in Bangkok.
United Kingdom
Jasmina Zapotoczna (8-1) defeated Maisey Rose Courtney (6-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday July 6. The regional flyweight title fight took place in Hackney Wick.
Charlotte Powell (4-1-1) won by decision after six rounds versus Klaudia Ferenczi (20-111-10) on Saturday July 6. The bantamweight match was held in Liverpool.
On Saturday July 13, super flyweights Laura Pain (5-0) and Sara Orszagi (1-0) meet six rounds at Leeds, England.
On Saturday July 13, super bantamweights Katie Healy (7-1) and Kira Carter (0-7-1) meet six rounds at Sheffield.
USA
Reina Tellez (9-0-1) beat Wendellin Cruz (6-13-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday July 6. The featherweight regional title fight took place in Floresville, Texas.
On Saturday July 13, featherweights Skye Nicolson (10-0) and Dyana Vargas (19-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Philadelphia, Penn.