Skye Nicolson says she is open to facing Amanda Serrano over 12 three minute rounds if that gets the fight on – and the Australian is targeting a comprehensive win on Saturday night over Serrano’s old Sarah Mahfoud for the vacant WBC Featherweight belt at Bleaulive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN to stake her claim for the mega showdown.

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Nicolson (9-0 1 KO) is fighting Mahfoud (14-1 3 KOs) for the WBC strap that Serrano vacated in December, a move Nicolson has previously stated was due to the seven-weight champion not wanting to face her, and not down to wanting to fight over the 12 three-minute round distance.

The Australian star has landed the World title fight she’s been craving, albeit against tough Dane Mahfoud instead of the Puerto Rican, with that duo previously meeting for undisputed in September 2022, with Serrano prevailing on points.

Although Nicolson has put the Serrano fight to one side to focus on the task at hand, the 28 year old can’t help that it’s a fight that she’s asked about all the time – and aims to deal with Mahfoud in better fashion than Serrano to prove she’s ready to take on the living legend.

“I can only fight who they put in front of me,” said Nicolson. “Serrano is the dream fight, and to have been boxing for undisputed in my tenth fight would have been legendary, but it didn’t happen. It is what it is, I’m not looking past Sarah. I’ve got a good opponent in front of me and it’s for the best belt in boxing in my opinion, so I am fully focused on the job in front of me and we’ll see what’s next after that.

I hope the Serrano fight happens, I am ready and waiting. I want the best; I feel like I am constantly saying it but it’s true. I wanted the Serrano fight in my eighth and ninth fights, I have Sarah for my tenth fight, so maybe it’s Serrano in my 11th fight, who knows? I want the belts, so I am going to keep pushing for that.

“12 x 3s suits my style. I’m a patient fighter, I love the longer rounds so for me it makes sense. For women’s boxing, I personally don’t agree with 12 x 3s; I think the depth of women’s boxing, 10 x 2s has been really good for the growth. It’s kept it exciting, and you’ve seen the women’s fights steal the show time and again and I think that’s down to the two-minute rounds. So, for me, I love three-minute rounds, but for women’s boxing, not so much – but if the only way to fight Serrano is over three minutes, sign me up.

“The Serrano fight for Sarah was 97-93, 97-93 and 99-92. That’s not happening, that’s all I will say. The way I am boxing right now, I don’t see the fight going the distance. If it does happen to go the distance, it’s 100-90.”

Nicolson’s clash with Mahfoud is part of a big night of action in Las Vegas, led by a double-header with two of America’s brightest stars as Richardson Hitchins takes on Gustavo Lemos in a final eliminator for the IBF World Jr. Welterweight title and Diego Pacheco defends his USWBC and WBO International Super-Middleweight titles against Shawn McCalman.

British Olympic gold medal man Galal Yafai defends his WBC International Flyweight title against Agustin Mauro Gauto. Marc Castro gets a first title bout in his 12th pro outing, taking on Abraham Montoya for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title, Harley Mederos is in action for the sixth time in the paid ranks over six rounds against Pedro Vicente and there’s a pro debut for former Team USA talent Steven Navarro over six rounds at Super-Flyweight against Jose Lopez.

Skye Nicolson will become the first Australian female to step through the ropes at Madison Square Garden when she fights on the undercard of the historic clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano on Saturday April 30 in New York, live worldwide on DAZN.

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Nicolson (2-0) returns to the States for her third pro-outing after making her debut in San Diego at the start of March and then making it two wins from two in Leeds at the end of the month.

The Australian, who won Commonwealth Gold in 2018 and represented her country at the 2020 Olympics, joins an all-star cast on April 30 in the Big Apple, and makes her own piece of history on a night where Taylor and Serrano, the pound-for-pound #1 and #2 fighters of the world is one that will not only make boxing history, but women’s sports history. MSG has hosted thousands of fights through its illustrious years, beginning more than a century ago on July 17, 1882; now, 140 years later, this matchup finally marks the very first time two female fighters are headlining a combat sports event at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’.

The 26 year old southpaw will face Shanecqua Paisley Davis (3-1) over six rounds, and with the main event shining the brightest of lights on the rise of women’s boxing, Nicolson is thrilled to be sharing the stage with the main event and another undisputed battle between Super-Middleweight champions Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Elin Cederoos.

“It’s an honor for me to not only fight on this historic card but also to become one of the few Australians to fight at the Mecca of boxing Madison Square Garden and the first female,” said Nicolson. “This is a game changing moment for Women’s boxing and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to feature on this show.

“For me personally it will be three fights in eight weeks on both sides of the Atlantic, I feel like I’m improving every day and the opportunities that Matchroom and DAZN are giving me are helping me grow on my journey to become World champion. See you in NYC!”

“This is a massive night for boxing, and I am delighted to complete a great undercard with Skye,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “She’s been faultless in her first two fights so far, and on this most momentous of nights for female fighters, she will be able to show the world what she is capable of on the biggest of stages.”

Nicolson completes a star-studded undercard with Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith meeting in a must-win battle at Super-Welterweight and there’s more undisputed action on the card as Crews-Dezurn and Cederroos decide who is the top dog at 168lbs.

Olympic Gold medal star Galal Yafai makes his American debut and defends his WBC International Flyweight Title against Miguel Cartagena in his second pro fight, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams is in a tough test with fellow unbeaten Middleweight Chordale Booker, Reshat Mati is always popular in his home city and the ‘Albanian Bear’ meets Joe Eli Hernandez over eight rounds, and Light-Heavyweight talent Khalil Coe makes the short trip from Jersey City to face William Langston over six.

Josh Warrington became a two-time featherweight world champion as he won the IBF title with a seventh round stoppage over Kiko Martinez in front of a raucous sell out crowd at The First District Arena in Leeds, England.

Warrington almost made it a real early night as he was all over Martinez and dropped him with a hard right hand. Warrington battered and bloodied the left eye of Martinez. Warrington dominated the rest of the fight with the exception of a couple hard rights that were landed by Martinez.

One of the rights may have set Warrington off as he stormed back and beat up Martinez on the ropes until the bout was stopped at 2:12 of round seven.

Warrington, who decisioned Martinez five years ago is now a two-time champion by thrilling his hometown fans and has a record of 31-1-1 with eight knockouts, Martinez of Spain is 43-11-2.

Bridges wins IBF Bantamweight Title from Roman

Ebanie Bridges won the IBF Bantamweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Maria Cecilia Roman.

Bridges out worked and outhustled Roman on the inside and landed some good punches to the body. Bridges was effective with her uppercut and took the lead from the outset.

Bridges landed 205 of 645 punches; Roman was 156 of 430.

Bridges, 117.3 lbs of New South Wales, AUS won by scores of 100-91 and 97-93 twice and is now 8-1. Roman, 116.4 lbs of San Juan, ARG was a five year-champion, who had made seven defenses is now 16-6-1.

“I am feeling proud of myself and everything that I sacrificed has been worth it. This belt means all of the sacrifice and training. I was so happy for that kind of fight. I hope the fight was entreating. Cecilia brough the fight. I am grateful to win the title in this great city of Leeds,” said Bridges,

Hughes decisions Walsh

Maxi Hughes won a 12-round unanimous decision over Ryan Walsh in a lightweight contest.

In round three, Walsh was cut over left uppercut that was ruled from a punch.

Hughes landed 163 of 610 punches; Walsh was 79 of 614.

Hughes, 133.5 lbs of Rossington, ENG won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 and is now 25-5-2. Walsh, 134.4 lbs of Cromer, ENG is 23-4-2.

Smith Stops Moylette in 10

Dalton Smith remained undefeated with a 10th round stoppage over Roy Moylette in a junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Moylette started to swell under his left eye.

In round seven, Smith was deducted two points for a low blow.

In round 10, Smith landed a hard left that sent Moylette to the canvas. Seconds later, it was another left hook that sent Moylette down again and the fight was stopped at 49 seconds.

Smith, 139.25 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is now 10-0 with eight knockouts. Moylette, 139.2 lbs of Islandeady, ENG is 12-2.

Nicholson Decisions Connolly

2021 Australian Olympian Skye Nicholson remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Bec Connolly in a featherweight bout.

In round five, Connolly began to bleed from her nose.

Connolly, 127.2 lbs of Queensland, AUS won by a 60-54 score and is now 2-0. Connolly, 127 lbs of Swindon, ENG is 3-12.

Cory O’Regan won a six-round decision over Jakub Laskowski in a lightweight bout.

O’Regan, 137.4 lbs of Heckmondwike, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 6-0. Laskowski, 137.3 lbs of Siemianowice, POL is 4-14-1,

Mali Wright won a four-round decision over Luis Palmer in a light heavyweight bout.

Wright, 186.25 lbs of Leeds, UK won by a 39-38 scores and is now 2-0-1. Palmer, 186 lbs of Huddersfield, ENG is 0-1-1.

Callum French stopped Angelo Turco in round three of their six-round super lightweight bout.

French dominated the action and hurt Turco several ties before the fight was stopped just as the towel came in at 1:11,

French, 137.5 lbs of Gateshead, ENG is 2-0 with one knockout. Turco, 140.1 lbs of Quaragnon, BEL is 8-24-2.

Roman Gonzalez pounded his way to a 12-round unanimous decision over flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez in a super flyweight bout at The Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Gonzalez dominated the fight as continuously backed up Martinez with straight forward power punching, Martinez was game throughout as he would sneak u a flurry, but it was Gonzalez who was so accurate with his combinations that defied his age of 34, which is considered old for the lighter weight classes. After round seven, the winner was inevitable as Gonzalez snapped the head and drove Martinez into the ropes almost constantly. Martinez fought until the end, but it was much too little, much too late as Gonzalez won by scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112.

Gonzalez landed 374 of 1076 punches; Martinez was 182 of 713.

Gonzalez, 114.8 lbs of Managua, NIC is now 51-3. Martinez, who came in over the contracted weight, checked in at 116.4 lbs is now 18-2.

Lara stops Sanchez in Three Exciting Rounds

In a wild slugfest. Mauricio Lara stopped Emilio Sanchez in round three of their 10-round featherweight bout.

In round one, Lara dropped Sanchez with a hard right. In round three, Sanchez came roaring back as he landed barrages of power punches that tired Lara out. Lara came roaring back by landing vicious shots that continuously snapped the head of Sanchez back. Lara landed two more booming shots that knocked Sanchez to the ground just before the bell, and the fight was over at 2:59.

Lara, 126 lbs of Mexico City is now 24-2-1 with 17 knockouts. Sanchez, 126 lbs of Pacoima, CA is 19-2.

Fierro and Burgos Battle to a Draw

Angel Fierro and Juan Carlos Burgos battled to a 10-round draw in lightweight contest.

Fierro took a scorecard 96-94; while two other tallies were 95-95.

Fierro landed 144 of 579 punches. Burgos was 113 of 476.

Fierro, 134.6 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is now 19-1-2. Burgos, 134.2 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 34-6-3.

Cissokoho Decisions Valenzuela

Souleymayne Cissokho remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in a super welterweight bout.

In round two, Valenzuela began to swell under his left eye. In round three, Valenzuela was cut on the nose. In round four, Valenzuela turned the tide and landed a hard combination to the body and sent Cissokho to the canvas. In the final minute of the round, Cissokho uncorked a huge right that put Valenzuela on his back. Valenzuela got to his feet and was bleeding all over his face.

Cissokho landed 132 of 479 punches; Valenzuela was 92 of 474.

Cissokho, 153.8 lbs of Saint-Denis, FRA won by scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice to raise his record to 15-0. Valenzuela, 154 lbs of Sonora, MEX is 19-3,

Diego Pacheco remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Genc Pllana in a scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

In round one, Pacheco dropped Pllana with a right hand. In round two, a left hook/right hand combination put Pllana on the deck and the fight was stopped at 1:29.

Pacheco, 170 lbs of Los Angeles is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Pllana, 171 lbs of Hagerstown, MD is 9-4-1.

Marc Castro hit the canvas, but remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Julio Madera in a lightweight fight.

In round two Castro hit the deck from a combination. Castro won the rest of the fight and won by scores of 58-55 on all cards.

Castro, 134.8 lbs of Fresno, CA is 6-0. Madera, 134.4 lbs of Mexico City is 3-2.

2021 Australian Olympian Skye Nicholson made a successful pro debut with a six-round unanimous decision over Jessica Juarez in a junior lightweight bout.

Nicholson, 129 lbs of Queensland, AUS won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 1-0. Juarez, 129 lbs of San Diego is 3-1.

Anthony Herrera stopped Jose Toribio in round four of a scheduled four-round bantamweight bout.

In round one, Toribio began to bleed over his right. In round four, Castro landed a hard combination that was culminated by a left hook that dropped Toribio and the fight was stopped at the 24 second mark.

Herrera, 118.4 lbs of Los Angeles is 2-0 with two knockouts. Toribio, 118.2 lbs of San Diego, CA is 7-5.

Australian amateur star Skye Nicolson has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make her highly anticipated professional debut at Featherweight in 2022. 
 
The 26-year-old has helped pave the way for female boxing in Australia, winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and more recently representing her country at the Tokyo Olympics. 
 
Nicolson narrowly missed out on becoming Australia’s first female boxing medallist since the 1988 Olympics when she lost to Great Britain’s Karriss Artingstall after three tightly contested rounds in July. 
 
Managed by Paul Ready and STN Sports, slick southpaw Nicolson now turns her attention to making her mark in the thriving professional scene at a time when boxing has never been bigger in her homeland. 
 
“It’s a dream come true to be signing with the biggest and best promotional company in the world,” said Nicolson. “I can’t wait to make big waves and show the world what I can do. I’m about to put Australian women’s boxing on notice. I have built an incredible team around me and have all the faith in the world that my career is being guided by the best and I can’t thank STN and Matchroom enough.”
 
“I’m delighted to welcome Skye to the Matchroom Boxing team as we continue our expansion into Australia,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Skye is a special talent who turns professional at the perfect time and we look forward to boxing her all around the world to grow her profile and develop her as a fighter as she chases World Titles and Undisputed Championships.”
 
“Skye is a rare talent inside and outside the ring,” said Director of STN Sports Paul Ready. “She has a fan-friendly slick southpaw style and has the ability to be a global superstar. You will see her wow fans in the U.K, USA & most importantly built back home in Australia.”
 
You can follow Nicolson’s journey on Instagram: skyebnic