Skye Nicolson and Gabriela Fundora Need Competition: Some Suggestions

By David A. Avila

Some have it easy and others not so much.

All fights are difficult regardless of a fighter’s record. Professionals are professionals and any time someone steps in the prize ring they risk permanent damage and even death.

A few extremely lucky boxers have been fortunate enough to rise to the top assisted by prominent promoters while others are ignored and avoided because they lack the backing of a strong promoter.

It’s a part of the fight business that few fans understand.

Among the lucky fighters with strong promoters who rocketed to the top were Gabriela Fundora, the new undisputed flyweight world champion and Skye Nicolson the disputed featherweight champion.  They need real competition.

Both are extremely talented and ascended quickly to championships due to their promoters without facing equally talented opposition to challenge for their titles.

Now it’s time for them to face strong tests.

Fundora and Nicolson are among the talented fighters in need of dynamic fights in 2025. Here is a list of some suggestions for the coming year:

Featherweights

Skye Nicolson (12-0) vs Nina Meinke (19-3), Daniela Bermudez (32-5-3) or Tiara Brown (17-0).

It makes perfect sense to match Nicolson against new IBF featherweight titlist Nina Meinke of Germany for a unification match. It would be a battle between southpaws of equal height, but the Aussie Nicolson seems to have the longer reach and knows how to use it. Both prefer fighting from the outside as is the case with most women.

Of course, either champion would rather fight Amanda Serrano for bigger paydays, but the Puerto Rican queen seems to prefer Katie Taylor or Chantelle Cameron.

Meinke recently had a bloody 12 three-minute round clash with former champion Daniela Bermudez and managed a majority win for the vacant IBF featherweight title. Though it was marred with far too much holding, when they actually did punch, they dazzled.

Nicolson rarely punches and prefers to fire from long-distance. That is why she only has one knockout though she appears to have enough stopping power in her blows, but she punches and moves away at the same time. She has very good agility and hand speed and prefers the amateur style of hit and run.

Bermudez could be a very suitable foe for Nicolson.

American featherweight Tiara Brown also seems perfect for Meinke. That would be a battle too. Both have speed and could excite crowds if they meet.

Put all these forementioned featherweights on the same card against each other and  the winners could meet down the road in 2025.

Flyweights

Gabriela Fundora (15-0, 7 Kos) vs Kenia Enriquez (28-1, 11 KOs), Marlen Esparza (15-2) or Laura Wollenmann.(11-1, 3 KOs).

The tall undisputed flyweight champion Fundora eliminated Argentina’s short Gabriela Alaniz who competed well until she got hit by lightning and thunder. It was a stunning ending and proved Fundora can punch. Her power is real.

Standing in the way is Kenia Enriquez.

Enriquez is the one fighter avoided by every champion flyweight and light flyweight for the past 10 years. It’s a shame and blame all the sanctioning organizations especially the WBC who ranked her number one but never ordered the champions to defend their titles against Enriquez.

A decade has passed with Enriquez not getting a world title shot. Interim titles don’t count.

Think of it this way: when Fundora was 12 years old Enriquez was ranked the number one contender as a light flyweight and then as a flyweight. None of the world champions dared face the fighter from Tijuana, Mexico.

Fundora has an opportunity to prove she is the best flyweight of all time if she can pass through female boxing’s most feared fighter Enriquez.

Another option is former champion Marlen Esparza. Not sure if she can still make the 112-pound limit, but the Olympian has the tools to give the much taller fighter problems. Esparza has quick hands and a good chin. Is it good enough to take Fundora’s power is another question. The Texas fighter could be lured with a big payday.

A third option is Switzerland’s Laura Wollenmann who has been fighting all over the world against solid competition and holds a WBO regional title.

This year will be important for the future of both Fundora and Nicolson who are talented enough to move up a weight division or two. But first, they need to finish business in their current divisions.

(Photo by Matchroom Boxing)