World Title Fights Nicolson vs Brown , Johnson vs Hughes and More News

 

By David A. Avila

After several years of verbal war Australia’s undefeated Skye Nicolson meets America’s undefeated Tiara Brown for the WBC featherweight title.

Talk is over.

“I’m excited for the fight,” said Nicolson.

The whip-quick Nicolson (12-0, 1 KO) defends the world title against Brown (18-0, 11 Kos) on Saturday March 22, at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

Ever since Nicolson rapidly ascended the featherweight ladder with multiple victories in high profile contests Brown has vocalized her willingness to challenge the Aussie Olympian.

“Its crazy that we never met in the amateurs,” said Brown who also had an amateur career.

Maybe it was jealousy or an eagerness to plant her own flag. Brown was insistent that Nicolson was avoiding her.

“I think it started on Twitter a couple of years ago,” said Nicolson. “I said I want all the smoke…it kind of went from there.”

Brown said she responded because she was mute in the past and was urged to open up.

“I needed to talk more,” said Brown. “Let me throw my name out there. Let me get in the mix.”

Nicolson said Brown was always a target for her team, but it was a matter of when it would happen.

“After the Raven Chapman fight it was certain,” Nicolson said.

Despite the back and forth fire between the top featherweights there is no animosity.

“I respect all that she has done. I respect her fully,” said Brown. “Boxing is not easy.”

When the two featherweights enter the ring they pose different styles of combat. Nicolson takes a distance approach behind her quick jab and long arms. She is always ready to snap a stiff left counter from her southpaw stance. She also never stands still.

Brown has an aggressive boxer-puncher style. She has speed and strength and looks to end a fight quickly.

“This will be the best fight of 2025,” Brown said.

Both are undefeated and both are confident in their abilities.

“We’re expecting the hardest fight of my career,” Nicolson said. “I’m prepared for war.”

 

Bantam World Title

Australia’s Cherneka Johnson (16-2) and England’s Nina Hughes (6-1) meet again for the WBA bantamweight world title on the Matchroom Boxing card streamed by DAZN.

The first time they met almost a year ago in May 2024, the ending was messy and controversial especially after Hughes was announced the winner and as the belt was being wrapped around her, the officials suddenly announced a tabulation error had been made and gave the belt to Johnson.

That’s why this fight is happening again.

Johnson, 30, a former IBF bantamweight titlist, is now defending the WBA title against Hughes the former champion.

 

Alycia Baumgardner Signs MVP Contract

Undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner signed a promotional contract with burgeoning giant Most Valuable Promotions.

“I’ve always believed in betting on myself, and signing with MVP is the next big move in that journey,” said Alycia Baumgardner. “MVP has proven they’re leaders in women’s boxing, creating the biggest opportunities for fighters like me to shine. This partnership is a natural fit—not just for my career but for the impact we’re making on the sport. The future just got even bigger.”

MVP is owned and run by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian and has been building a growing roster of female prizefighters that include super star Amanda Serrano.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

On Saturday March 22, bantams Milagros Rosario (2-0) and Elian Orecchia (5-14-3) meet six rounds at Buenos Aires.

 

Australia

Kaitlyn Lodge (2-3-1) won by decision after five rounds versus Tara Enoka (1-2) on Saturday March 15. The super welterweight match took place in Bonnyrigg. Also, light heavyweight Melissa Sarkis (1-0) knocked out Natthawadee Sommanat (0-2) in four.

Linn Sandstrom (10-3-3) defeated Yoselin Fernandez (16-7) by decision after 10 rounds on Wednesday March 12. The regional super fly title fight took place in Sydney. Also, super feather Nadia Flahi (8-4) beat Angel Rushton (4-3) in six.

On Saturday March 22, featherweights Skye Nicolson (12-0) and Tiara Brown (18-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Sydney. Also, bantams Cherneka Johnson (16-2) and Nina Hughes (6-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBA world title.

 

Colombia

Basilia Mancilla (10-11-2) beat Bethy Franco (10-9-2) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday March 15. The bantamweight fight took place in Bogota. Also, super fly Marina Mejia (1-1) knocked out Marisela Romero (0-2) in the first round.

 

Congo

Brigette Mbabi (3-0) knocked out Fila Eyenga (0-2) in the second round on Wednesday March 12. The welterweight fight was held in Oyo Oyo. Also, middleweight Jorbelle Malewu (4-0) beat Alice Bindunga (0-2) in four.

On Friday March 21, middleweights Tshibangu Ndaya (3-1) and Niati Misama (0-1) meet four rounds at Oyo Oyo.

 

France

Bianca Voglino (6-0) defeated Sabrina Flamand (4-7-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday March 15. The super bantamweight fight took place in Caen.

 

Georgia

Nino Revia (1-1) won by unanimous decision after four rounds against Nino Janelidze (0-1) on Saturday March 15. The featherweight fight was held in Rustavi.

 

Germany

Melina Maibaum (12-0) defeated Ana Arrazola (29-18-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday March 15. The regional super bantamweight title fight was held in Darmstadt. Also, super welter Leonie Mueller (1-0) beat Rosa Acosta (0-6-1) in four.

 

Guatemala

On Saturday March 22, light flyweights Maria Santizo (11-5) and Yanissa Castrellon (4-2) meet eight rounds at Guatemala City. Also, Hilary Romero (1-5-1) and Jazmin Martinez (2-2-1) meet six.

On Saturday March 22, super flyweights Genesis Rodas (2-0) and Yhannely Juarez (0-0) meet four rounds at Guatemala City. Also, bantams Dulce Diaz (0-0) and Jacqueline Lopez (0-1) meet four.

 

Italy

Giordana Sorrentino (3-0) defeated Sara Marjanovic (10-13) by decision after six rounds on Thursday March 13. The flyweight match was held in Campania.

 

Japan

Madoka Wada (3-0) beat Jianping Ouyang (6-2-1) by decision after six rounds on Tuesday March 18. The atomweight fight was held in Tokyo. Also, super bantam Mao Nishi (2-0) defeated Aira Midorikawa (5-2) in four.

On Friday March 21, bantams Pannaporn Kiadcharoensiri (5-3) and Makoto Kikuchi (4-2) meet six rounds at Tokyo. Also, minimumweights Mitsuki Ohashi (2-1) and Nihpaphon Sutham (109( meet four.

 

South Africa

Bernice Ferreira (7-0) defeated Bukiwe Nonina (20-5-2) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Saturday March 15. The super featherweight fight took place in Johannesburg.

 

United Arab Emirates

Anahit Aroyan (12-1) beat Johana Zuniga (19-10-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday March 15. The bantamweight fight took place in Dubai.

 

United Kingdom

Shannon Courtenay (9-3) defeated Bec Connolly (3-22) by decision after six rounds on Friday March 14. The super featherweight fight took place in Liverpool.

On Saturday March 22, super welters Charlie Sutton (3-1) and Erica Alvarez (8-9) meet six rounds at Bristol, England. Also bantams Megan Redstall (3-0-1) and Antonella Molina (4-22-2) meet six.

On Saturday March 22, lightweights Jade Pearce (0-0) and Kerry Orton (0-16) meet six rounds at Newark, England.

On Saturday March 22, super bantams Sasha Booker (1-0) and Kira Carter (0-13-1) meet six rounds at Nottingham.

 

USA

Brittany Sims (8-3) knocked out Wendellin Cruz (6-17-1) in the first round on Friday March 14. The featherweight fight took place Bethlehem, Penn. Also, bantamweight Shera Mae Patricio beat Nancy Franco (19-23-2) in six.

On Saturday March 22, super flyweights Jasmine Artiga (12-0-1) and Regina Chavez (8-4-3) meet 10 rounds for the WBA world title at San Bernardino, Calif.

On Saturday March 22, featherweights Jennifer Ruiz (4-1) and Leanne Calderon (1-3-1) meet four rounds at Laredo, Texas.