Speaking exclusively to She Kicks, Skye Nicolson stated her desire to be remembered as one of the greatest fighters of all time, took aim at boxing fans for never being happy and praised the work Jake Paul has done for women’s boxing. She also believes Amanda Serrano ducked a fight with her…
She Kicks: You’ve got your WBC belt here Skye, how are you feeling?
Sky Nicolson: Yeah, feeling good. Happy to be here.
Q: Let’s talk about your boxing. Two wins under your belt this summer come pretty quickly back to back both second round stoppages. You must be feeling good…?
SN: I am feeling good. I feel like there’s been a big shift in mindset since obviously suffering that first defeat as a professional back in March. So I’m very happy with my last two performances and really wanting to just keep that ball rolling now.
Q: You said you don’t want to finish your career without avenging that defeat. Is that something you’re looking to do further down the line presumably, but not imminently?
SN: Yeah, definitely. For me, wherever, whenever and I believe right that wrong. Whether it’s in my next fight or further down the line, I’m ready when she is. I’ve made that very clear. She’s not entertaining a rematch at the moment and that’s fine. It’s not going be the be all and end all for me in my career. We’ve got our site set on a second world title fight in a new weight division now as well. Plenty for me to look forward to and be focused on, but I think it will always be in the back of my mind and it’s quite personal for me. I do want to avenge that loss to Tiana Brown. But I’m sure the time will come.
Q: You’ve teased a big fight later this year, either November or December – How much can you tell us about that?
SN: I’m not sure how much I can say right now, but contracts have been sent. The winner of my next fight will be mandatory for the 122lb world title fight. Obviously a few weeks before that fight takes place, an undisputed fight is underway exactly in the 122lb division. So I’ll definitely be having one eye on that fight, but full focus on this fight that’s coming up in December to be in the mandatory position. It’s an exciting time, I feel like there’s really big fights to be made, especially in the 122lb division. And I feel like I’ve really made my mark in the division now and I’m ready to take the crown.
Q: You’ve referred to yourself as ‘Skye 2.0’ since the change and demonstrated some real power in your strikes – how have you worked on finding that power in the gym and bringing it to the ring?
SN: It’s been a big mindset shift and intent shift for me. I think the power’s always been there. It’s just not been something I’ve intended to utilise. I’ve kind of gone into fights and as my team kind of says it, played with my food. We’re not playing with my food anymore. No one’s playing now. No more nice girl when that bell rings. It’s been a mindset shift for me. It’s been more of a mental thing, more than a physical thing. I feel like that has really shown in my last two fights, and you’ll see it more and more as my career progresses now.
Q: Was that the thinking behind going down to 122, so your power can be more noticeable and explosive?
SN: To be honest with you, it wasn’t really part of the thought process of going to 122. I think going back to 126 as well, I think we’re still going to see a very different Skye to what we’ve seen in the 126lb division before. I think looking back, there were a number of opponents that I went the distance with that I definitely could have and would have stopped, if I had gone in there with the intent and the mindset that I now have. And while I definitely have a good physical advantage now that I’m down at 122, I do think that it’s been more of a mental change than anything. I think you would see a more exciting fight at 126 as well.
Q: You often said you don’t want girls just stepping in the ring for a payday, would you say you’re one of the most exciting boxers in the world right now in your weight division?
SN: I believe so. And I think the boxing world will start to see that as well. I feel like the level of opposition has been a little bit lower, so there are still doubters. But I think my next fight is going to be a really big statement for the 122lb division and for women’s boxing in general. I think that’s going to be an opportunity for me to really showcase what I can do. I never want my drive or my motivation to be about proving to people wrong. I just feel like the boxing fans, the boxing world, it doesn’t matter what you do – no one’s ever going to be happy. And if you’re a knockout artist and you’re going out and demolishing everyone, they’ll say you’re not a very good boxer or you get lucky. And then it’s the opposite for the boxers who go out and school their opponents. So you are never going to make everyone happy. So I feel like for me, it’s just making sure I’m bringing the best version of myself to the ring every single time.
Q: We recently saw UFC fighter Molly McCann crossover into boxing, were you surprised by that?
SN: No, I wasn’t surprised. I actually know Molly quite well. So I was aware, we actually have been talking about teeing up some sparring together as well. So I’m quite excited for that. I’m excited and happy for her to be going on this journey. She obviously had a bit of an amateur boxing career and amateur boxing background before crossing over to do MMA and UFC. So yeah, I’m really excited for her and it’s nice to have Molly being part of the Matchroom team as well.
Q: You’ve also spoken about wanting to dethrone Amanda Serrano before. Do you think you’ll be able to finish her and what do you think makes her vulnerable in terms of her style and the way she boxes?
SN: The thing about Amanda, she’s a legend of the game. I think she took things personally when I was calling her out. I think she felt disrespected, but I just think if someone’s calling you out, it’s a respect thing more than anything. So I found it quite frustrating that it kind of did become personal. I don’t believe I’ll ever get the opportunity to face Amanda Serrano.
I think my opportunity was there and she vacated the belt, decided she wanted to do two 12 threes, not do 10 twos. So she moved away from the WBC, which was where I was mandatory. It was a very frustrating time for me. She since then has fought ten twos numerous times, which again, was very frustrating for me.
But she’s at the end of her career now. She knows I’m a banana skin opponent for her. I have the speed and the footwork and the angles to trouble her. She’s a very flat footed fighter. But unfortunately I think the opportunity to fight her has passed now. I think she’s maybe got one or two fights left and she’s going to retire or go into a more managerial promoter’s role unfortunately. I do really believe our styles would’ve made for such a great matchup as well. That typical fighter vs boxer. It was something that was frustrating for me for quite some time. But I have got over it now and I’ve learned that you can’t just base your career moves and what you’re doing around a particular opponent. So I’m just focused on what I can control – fighting who’s put in front of me and doing what I can to win the belts and I guess go on to be a fighter that’s remembered as one of the greatest of all time.
Q: What would you say has changed most about women’s boxing since you first started?
SN: So I’ve been boxing for 18 years, I definitely feel like I’ve grown with the sport. As I said today, I really was starting out boxing while women’s boxing was in its infancy. There were obviously women that were really trying to push for women’s boxing to become what it has today and I feel like I was one of the really early, while I’m grateful for that and to have been able to grow with the sport, I think it has come such a long way. It still has a long way to go, but I believe women’s boxing has grown so much. You’re constantly seeing the level of talent, especially in the young girls, the young girls coming through now are absolute weapons and it’s really exciting because you can just see where women’s boxing’s heading, they’re so good.
I sparred with this one girl, she’s actually just recently turned professional, Tiah Mai Ayton. She’s just turned 19 years old and she is probably the best female boxer I’ve ever seen, Tiah Mai Ayton. Remember the name, she’s going to do big, big things in the sport, a very smart fighter, heavy handed, exciting, has that killer instinct, but can box as well, she’s the full package. So seeing young girls like that, that have come through and just that level, the boxing IQ, it’s incredible. So I’m very excited for where women’s boxing’s headed.
Q: Did you have a boxing idol or a sporting idol in particular?
SN: For me, it’s definitely been Katie Taylor, since about 13 years old, as I was saying again today, she’s just the one of the most grounded, humble champions, she’s never changed who she is, no matter what she’s achieved, what she’s gone on to do. And she’s been such a trailblazer for women’s boxing, so I’m definitely not alone in saying she’s definitely been a big role model and inspiration for so many girls around the world.
Q: Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr, the rematch is coming up now. Will you be there and do you have a prediction for the rematch?
SN: I was there at the first one. I would love to be there obviously again for the rematch. It well and truly lived up to the years of hype that was built around it. It’s just one of those fights that you probably never expected to happen as well, obviously the difference in the weight between the boys and stuff. For me, I’m a big Conor Benn fan, I would love to see him come through the rematch and there’d be a big trilogy as well. I loved the fight. I thought there were a couple of opportunities where Chris Eubank Jr did look a little bit vulnerable in there still. I just hope Conor Benn can do the job in the rematch. I think that there’s probably a lot more respect between them going into the rematch, they both know what they’re made of now as well. I’m excited for that.
Q: Do you think we’ll ever get to see Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua? 2026, Maybe it could be the right time?
SN: I don’t know. I feel like it’s probably more likely to happen in 2026 than it was ever going to happen before, so maybe. I actually met AJ for the first time last week, we’ve never actually met, I’ve been at quite a few of his fights. But again, like the Katie Taylor thing, he’s just the most humble, grounded, lovely person, I watched him make time for anyone who came up to him, a true champion. I think that’s what makes true champions as well. It’s not just what they achieve inside the ring, both Olympic gold medalists, world champions, and absolute role models and, and icons of the sport. But have the time of day for everyone, I think, that’s probably something that I look up to the most when, when I’m looking at, at role models and inspirations in the sport.
Q: As the first Australian to step through the ropes at Madison Square Gardens must be an honor for you, where do you rank yourself among Aussie fighters?
SN: I feel like Australia for such a small population, have done really amazing things in the fight world, got a shout out Cherneka Johnson, the current undisputed bantamweight world champion. Just incredible, I’ve known her since I was 13, 14 years old. She was one of the other ones on the scene when there weren’t many of us, we were all fighting each other. Her and I actually boxed each other eight times, she ended up joining my boxing club in the gym in the back garden that you heard all about today and we trained together as sparring partners for years and years and years. So to see her go on and, and achieve that undisputed status was a very, very special achievement for our first female undisputed champion out in Australia. So I think Australia, we are a really good fighting nation, especially considering how small our population is. There’s not many of us, it’s a very small boxing community in Australia. So to see the results that we’ve had, Jeff Horn beating Pacquiao, it was iconic and I think those small moments where Australian boxing has shined, I want to be involved in those moments, so for me, that is why I’m chasing those fights like the Amanda Serrano fight, because I want to be remembered as one of Australia’s greatest fighters. I want be remembered as one of the world’s greatest fights when it’s all said and done. So a hundred percent that’s why I’m chasing those big fights.
Q: How has moving to the UK impacted your boxing, would you say? Growing up in Australia and then moving over here, what’s been the main changes that you’ve felt from that?
SN: I think for me it’s just, I was signing with a British based promoter, I signed with a British base management company and then met my coaching team who I really wanted to work with and it was just about having and giving myself the most opportunities. So being here allowed me to be able to box here regularly, to be at the shows, be at the big shows and be amongst the boxing world, that opportunity to network and work on DAZN, doing the commentary, the punditry stuff that I’ve done quite a lot of since moving here as well. I think it’s just given me the best chance at making a name for myself in the sport, putting myself out there. It was not easy, I packed up and left my life on my own, 26 years old and moved across the world to pursue my dreams. I feel like it’s paying off. I obviously miss home, I miss my family a lot.
Q: Do you get to go back often?
SN: I do, yeah. I go back a couple of times a year and my family are also really supportive and come to a lot of my fights. I see my family regularly, but I think for me, it was a big move, but I would never regret it. I’m very tunnel vision on my goals in boxing and on my career. So I would never say never because I’d love to go and live back in Australia once I’m retired one day and it’s all said and done. My focus is definitely on my boxing career right now. Making the most of the opportunities and taking all the opportunities that come with both hands.
Q: Can you talk about social media for a minute? What do you feel are the pros and cons of being on there?
SN: It’s definitely a love-hate relationship with social media. It’s a great tool and its a great place for building your brand. Networking, finding sparring. I suppose things like that, building up fights, it definitely has its place. But there is a very dark side to social media. I feel like people think they can say anything without any consequence. People can be really, really hurtful. I think people do a lot of it without even realizing the impact that it can have on people. I struggled quite badly with reading into social media comments and hate and horrible messages, especially early on in my career. It was very new for me to be in such a public eye and just feel like everyone hates you. It’s not very nice. That’s almost how you feel when you see it. I actually removed myself off Twitter or X. I just felt like that was one community where there was more negative than positive. I’m really grateful for the community that I have on Instagram. I feel like I get so much love. So much support from all around the world. There’s always going to be negative comments, I feel like I’ve learned to deal with that. I don’t actually read too much into the best social media messages and comments anymore. I have found that it is easier to kind of just detach.
Q: I saw in Australia they’re limiting social media for under 16s
SN: I saw that too. I think that is actually really important, that’s a good idea. Social media, while it has its place, and can be such a great tool, it is hard. And again, going back to Tiah. She’s obviously just turned pro. Her profile’s growing, and she asked me about the negative comments as well. She said, ‘why are people so nasty?’ And I said, honestly, you’ve just gotta let it go straight past. If you start overthinking every comment, it can be a lot. She’s a 19-year-old girl. She shouldn’t be reading these horrible comments about her appearance or about the way she talks.
I’ve found that I don’t want to give that any energy, any air time. There’s been times where I’ve nitpicked at one negative comment out of a hundred positive comments, and it’s like, why is that the comment that I’m giving energy or attention to? I block so many people now. If I see a negative comment, I block them instantly. And you lose your privilege to see my profile. Think twice before you write a negative comment. But it’s part of it, it’s part of the job and I’ve definitely learned to not let it get to me, or read into it too much anymore.
Q: What do you think of Misfit’s boxing at the moment? Jake Paul fighting Gervonta Davis Tank – not many people saw it coming.
SN: Are you calling Jake Paul a misfit boxer? Because he’s a real boxer now! You know what I think Jake Paul’s doing, he’s bringing a whole new audience to boxing. So you can’t knock that as long as he’s promoting real fights as well. Like the Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fight. It’s putting a whole new audience from his YouTube world to boxing. So that can only be good for boxing.
As for him fighting Tank. We’ll see what happens. Will I be tuning into the fight? No. It’s not real boxing for me. But I like that he’s bringing more eyes to the sport. I like what he’s doing with MVP. I’m glad that he’s trying to give women’s boxing more limelight. He signed a lot of female fighters and really tried to push women’s boxing onto mainstream platforms. So you definitely cannot knock what he’s doing in the boxing world in that sense. The misfit stuff and the very lopsided weight division fights and stuff that are going on. Less intrigued by that, but I love what he’s doing for women’s boxing at the moment.
Q: We’ve got Dana White involved now with his Zuffer promotions. He’s trying to make boxing more like UFC in terms of the contracts and the way fighters can deal with their own prize money – Do you think he’s getting a bit big for his boots?
SN: Yeah. I don’t think Dana has had the warmest welcome to the boxing world, and there’s probably a reason for that. He’s a very good businessman but I don’t know if boxing is ready to welcome him in. There’s a reason those contracts and laws are in place. We’ll see how it goes.
