WBC Champ Skye Nicolson vs Raven Chapman in Saudi Arabia and More News

 

By David A. Avila

Aussie featherweight stalwart Skye Nicolson continues her rapid ascent to stardom and defends the featherweight title against Britain’s Raven Chapman this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

Nicolson (11-0) makes the second defense of the WBC featherweight title and this time undefeated Chapman (9-0) will be the foe on Saturday Oct. 12, at Riyadh. DAZN pay-per-view and ESPN pay-per-view will stream the multi-promotional card.

The fleet-footed southpaw has mostly breezed through competition including a recent defense against hard-hitting Dominican Dyana Vargas last July in Philadelphia. This time she faces a slightly taller quick-handed English fighter with some pop.

“She’s strong, powerful and relentless,” said Nicolson of Chapman who she has sparred before.

Chapman, 30, hails from High Wycombe a town of 75,000 citizens located northwest of London, England. Unlike the artsy town that once was the residence of Benjamin Disraeli, the right-handed slugger has more fight than flight in her style.

“I’m about action,” Chapman says.

In her last fight Chapman fought another southpaw in Colombia’s Yohana Sarabia and out-punched the rugged slugger for 10 rounds.

Will Nicolson be able to deal with a taller and quick-fisted Chapman?

This is a step up in competition for Nicolson who has slowly been dispensing her amateur habits with a more solid pro style. It was visible in her last fight that her instincts to run away from action have been tempered by her trainers.

Will this be a knockout ending?

Nicolson has speed galore and long arms that usually give her a reach advantage. It might not be an asset in this match.

“She runs pretty well,” said Chapman of Nicolson on social media. “She won’t be able to run from me.”

Nicolson takes all the talk in stride.

“They all say that,” said Nicolson about her opponents predictions. “Then I make them look bad. It’s what I do.”

 

Tiara

Number one featherweight contender Tiara Brown (17-0, 17-0, 11 Kos) meets Dyana Vargas (19-2, 12 KOs on Saturday Oct. 12, at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pa.

It’s a statement fight to show that WBC titlist Skye Nicolson has no other avenues.

Brown, 36, has been chasing Nicolson for the past two years and a victory could cinch her case. The opponent Vargas last fought Nicolson this past summer in the same location and lost a unanimous decision to the Aussie.

Both Brown and Nicolson are fighting on the same day. The Australian southpaw has already said she has Brown on her bull’s eye.

 

Miyo Returns

IBF bantamweight titlist Miyo Yoshida will defend her world title against Shurretta Metcalf on Oct. 23, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

It’s called “Heroes on the Hudson 2,” by DiBella Entertainment.

Japan’s Yoshida captured the IBF title last December when she stepped in as a late replacement to oppose then world champion Ebanie Bridges on a fight card in San Francisco, Calif. She won by unanimous decision.

Three weeks earlier, Yoshida, a former super flyweight world titlist, had moved to New York City with her daughter and had lost her first match on American soil by decision to Metcalf.

It’s a rematch that deserves to be made.

“I am grateful to Lou DiBella (her promoter, DiBella Entertainment) for giving me the opportunity,” said Yoshida.

Former multi-division world champion Jorge Linares, who speaks Japanese, will be in Yoshida’s corner as an advisor.

 

Roxy Signs with 360 Promotions

Former amateur star Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verdugo signed a pro contract with 360 Promotions on Friday Oct. 4, according to 360 Promotions.

“We’re very proud to sign Roxy to an exclusive promotional contract,” said Tom Loeffler, president of 360 Promotions. “Over the course of my promotional career I’ve had the opportunity to work with many female world champions and Roxy has all the attributes to be the next female star in boxing. When she fought on our July 26 card at Commerce Casino it was clear that not only was she a very talented fighter but also among the most popular fighters in Southern California.”

Verdugo, 23, fights out of Los Angeles and is trained by her mother Gloria Alvarado who formerly trained world champion Yokasta Valle. She has two pro wins since making her debut a year ago.

 

Fundora vs Alaniz

IBF flyweight titlist Gabriela Fundora is set to meet WBA, WBC and WBO flyweight titlist Gabriela Alaniz on Saturday Nov. 2, at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, stated Golden Boy Promotions.

Fundora (14-0, 6 Kos) defeated Arely Mucino of Mexico for the IBF title a year ago in Los Angeles and has defended it twice.

Alaniz (15-1, 6 Kos) defeated Marlen Esparza for the WBA, WBC, and WBO world titles last April in Fresno, Calif. It was a rematch of their first fight that ended in a highly controversial majority decision loss for Alaniz. The second fight ended in a split-decision win for the Argentine fighter Alaniz.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Florencia Juarez (13-1) defeated Marianela Ramirez (13-9-2) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 5. The South American bantamweight title fight took place in Los Polvorines.

Augustina Romero (2-0) defeated Nazarena Serra (1-1) by decision after four on Saturday Oct. 5. The light flyweight fight was held in Buenos Aires.

Yoana Rodriguez (5-5-1) won by decision over Rocio Nunez (0-2) after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 5. The super welterweight fight was held in Rafaela. Also, bantamweight Ruth Gutierrez (2-0) beat Gladis Bravo (0-2) in four.

 

Australia

Stephanie Lee (7-0) won by decision over Jaala Tomat (4-4-1) after eight rounds on Saturday Oct. 5. The Australian featherweight title fight was held in Sunshine.

Mea Motu (20-0) knocked out Shannon O’Connell (24-8-1) in the fourth round on Friday Oct. 4. The featherweight match took place in Pyrmont.

 

Bangladesh

On Saturday Oct. 12, flyweights Jui Lima (4-1) and Nazma Aktar (1-0) meet four rounds at Dhaka.

 

Democratic Republic of Congo

On Saturday Oct. 12, welterweights Mwamba Lulua (1-0) and Isabel Dala (0-0) meet four rounds at Kolwezi.

 

Finland

Serwa Palani (5-0) beat Tijana Draskovic (2-12) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Oct. 5. The featherweight fight took place in Turku.

 

France

On Friday Oct. 11, super welters Priscilla Peterle (10-0) and Claribel Mena (12-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Dunkerque. Also, super feathers Licia Boudersa (22-2-2) and Marina Sakharov (6-18-2) meet six rounds.

On Saturday Oct. 12, bantams Romane Moulai (1-0) and Cara McLaughlin (1-10) meet four rounds at Marseille.

 

Germany

On Tuesday Oct. 8, super feathers Lena Venjacob (1-0) and Beate Heissenreder (0-1) meet four rounds at Landau.

 

Guatemala

Anllely Escobar (3-0) won by decision against Ashly Alvarez (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 5. The super featherweight match took place in Mixco.

 

Italy

Jessica Bellusci (6-3) beat Fani Vilivic (0-2-1) by decision after six rounds on Sunday Oct. 6. The super featherweight fight took place in Sorbolo.

On Sunday Oct. 13, featherweights Martina Caruso (1-0) and Antonina Cuti (1-11) meet six rounds at Carugate.

 

Japan

Ran Higuchi (3-3-2) won by decision over Sari Metcalf (2-2-2) after six rounds on Monday Sept. 30. The bantamweight fight was held in Tokyo. Also, minimumweights Megumi Watanabe (3-0-6) and Hanako Adams (3-4-3) drew after six; and light flyweight Natsume Kikuchi (1-0) beat Miyako Nakao (0-1) after four.

On Tuesday Oct. 8, light flyweights Kanae Maihara (3-2-2) and Kaori Nagai (7-6-3) meet six rounds in Tokyo.

On Sunday Oct. 13, featherweights Akane Fujiwara (6-4-1) and Thanchanok Phanan (20-10) meet eight rounds at Yokohama for a regional title..

 

Mexico

On Friday Oct. 11, super lightweights Evlyn Martinez (10-2-1) and Seth Carrillo (7-4) meet eight rounds at Tamaulipas.

 

Puerto Rico

On Friday Oct. 11, bantams Krystal Rosado-Ortiz (4-0) and Perla Lomeli (6-2) meet six rounds at Caguas.

 

Saudi Arabia

On Saturday Oct. 12, featherweights Skye Nicolson (11-0) and Raven Chapman (9-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Riyadh.

 

South Africa

Alima Nkosi (1-0) won by decision over Gudani Mudau (0-5) after four rounds on Friday Oct. 4. The lightweight fight took place in Middelburg.

 

Spain

Keylin Maradiaga (9-0-1) knocked out Stefania Tandarescu (0-1) in the third round on Saturday Oct. 5. The light flyweight match took place in Morata de Tajuna.

 

Sweden

On Saturday Oct. 12, super flyweights Linn Sandstrom (8-3-3) and Carla Campos (6-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Gothenburg. Also, welters Mikaela Lauren (33-7) and Jordan Barker (8-3) meet six rounds.

 

Thailand

Angelina Lukas (11-1) defeated Debora Anahi Lopez (21-3-1) by close decision after 10 rounds on Sunday Oct. 6. The IBO super flyweight world title fight was held in Bangkok. Also, flyweight Hin Ting Chan (7-1) knocked out Kadesara Jadpakdee (9-7) in the second round.

Kullathida Kueasanor (7-3) knocked out Manatsanan Srithongkham (0-1) in the second round on Sunday Oct. 6. The Thai light fly title fight was held in Bangkok. Also, super fly Aisha Kamaleldan (2-0) knocked out Oomsin Sohsit (0-5) in two; atomweight Panta Khrueachaaem (1-0) beat Srirat Phetsing (0-1) in four; and Chalisa Kuasanor (1-0) beat Patcharawan Kaewmued (0-1) in four.

Blessing Bukola (8-0) knocked out Panumad Bubpamalo (5-6) in the first round on Saturday Oct. 5. The super fly fight was held in Pathum Thani. Also, featherweight Wanasanan Onoot (5-1) knocked out Kullasatree Nualsomsri (0-5) in three; minimumweight Riho Yoshida (5-1-1) knocked out Pornpimon Pongpaew (4-4) in three; and bantamweight Kanokwan Wirunpat (2-0) knocked out Siriwan Wongprasert (0-3) in three.

 

United Kingdom

Laura Pain (7-0) defeated Evelin Camporeale (3-15-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Oct. 5. The super fly match took place in Bethnal Green.

On Friday Oct. 11, super feathers Chelsey Arnell (3-1-1) and Jamillette Vallejos (4-15-2) meet six rounds at Beverley

On Saturday Oct. 12, bantams Jaica Pavilus (1-0) and Victoria Albons (0-0) meet four rounds at Leeds.

 

USA

Melanie Timko (2-0) won by decision over Randee Lynn Morales (5-5) after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 5. The super fly fight took place in Lincoln, Nebraska. Also, lightweight Yoryina Myers (2-0) beat Helen Lucero (0-4) in four.

Carmen Gulliksen (2-0) knocked out Anari Matthews (0-2) in the first round on Saturday Oct. 5. The super welterweight fight was held in Richmond, Virginia.

Mikiah Kreps (9-0) defeated Mayerlin Rivas (17-6-3) by decision after eight rounds on Friday Oct. 4. The super bantamweight fight took place in Niagara Falls, NY.

Melody Popravak (2-1-1) beat Sonya Dreiling (6-7) by decision after six rounds on Tuesday Oct. 1. The middleweight fight took place in Nashville, Tenn.

On Saturday Oct. 12, featherweights Tiara Brown (17-0) and Dyana Vargas (19-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Philadelphia, Pa.

On Saturday Oct. 12, featherweights Melissa Holguin (4-2) and Karla Valenzuela (3-33-3) meet four rounds at San Antonio, Texas.

On Saturday Oct. 12, bantamweights Kedra Bradley (1-6-1) and Kelsi Williamson (0-1) meet four rounds at Danville, Virginia.

 

(Photo by Queensberry Promotions)