Written by James Cooney, Daily Mail Australia
05:11 07 April 2024, 05:11 07 April 2024 Updated
- Skye Nicholson wins world boxing title in Las Vegas
- Nicholson becomes new WBC featherweight champion
- Australia's star looked almost untouchable in the match
Skye Nicholson has crowned Australia a new world champion with a unanimous decision victory over Sarah Mahfoud in their WBC featherweight title fight in Las Vegas.
The 28-year-old put on a clinic from start to finish, winning every round on two judges' scorecards and dropping just one round on the third card.
The win keeps her perfect 10-0 record intact and sets up a potential matchup with big name Amanda Serrano in the future.
“I know what I'm capable of, and I want to continue to prove it to the world,'' Nicholson said in the post-match interview.
Nicholson's jab kept Mahfoud busy all night, preventing the Dane from landing any truly damaging shots.
The Australian's footwork and quick hands kept her out of trouble when Mahfoud broke inside.
Nicholson grew in confidence in the second leg of the match, advancing with a solid left straight.
“I knew [I would win] before I get in the ring,” Nicholson said.
“I noticed she got a little bit down when I was trying to attack because she was awkward and was very good at breaking up space, but I knew what I had to do to win. And we did it.”
“My team and I said we just needed to double down on the attack a little bit because she was breaking up space. But apart from that, they just kept doing what I was doing and Told me I’d just add a little more.”
Serrano, who holds the remaining featherweight belts, insists her future fights will be 12 three-minute rounds instead of the WBC's 10 two-minute rounds.
Nicholson seems content to fight under these rules.
“When she’s ready, I’m ready,” Nicholson said.
“Of course I want the belt, so it's nothing personal, Amanda, but if you do, I'll be ready.”
“I think it's weird that she waited until I was obligated to decide that's what she wanted to do, but I respect the rules of the WBC, so I still hold the WBC belt. That's what I'm doing in boxing.”
“But if the only way to fight Metaserrano is to do more than a dozen three-minute rounds, talk to my team and we'll make it happen.”
