How Skye Nicolson plans to break Australia’s Las Vegas title fight curse this weekend

Skye Nicolson is fighting for a world title in Las Vegas this weekend, but to her the fight means more than just the belt, as she is on a mission to secure her legacy and pave the way for the next generation.

Skye Nicolson plans on breaking the Aussie Las Vegas curse with a statement knockout win over Sarah Mahfoud in their WBC featherweight world title fight this weekend.

Then, the Queenslander wants to bring big-money fights back to Australia.

In just her 10th professional bout, a win this weekend would see Nicolson join Jason Moloney as Australia’s only current boxing world champions.

From there, she wants to become Australia’s highest paid female boxer and create a legacy for the next generation.

“That’s the goal,” Nicolson tells this masthead when asked about her journey to mega-money bouts. “I’m probably up there (as the highest paid Australian female boxer), but for me, it’s all about legacy.

The former Olympian has big plans in the sport. Picture: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

“I want to fight everyone. I want the big fights, and I want to bring them Down Under.

“That’s something I’ve been very vocal about, and I’ve already been talking to Matchroom about having my first title defence in Australia later this year.

“I want that statement win, get everyone talking and get that homecoming.

“Women’s boxing, while it has grown so much, it’s still in its infancy. I feel humbled to be part of this generation that can help grow the next generation of female boxing.”

Before that though, Nicolson knows she must put on an impressive performance against Mahfoud this weekend.

The 28-year-old had been attempting to lock in a fight with Amanda Serrano, who is one of the best and highest paid female boxers in the world.

Sarah Mahfoud (L) took Amanda Serrano (R) the distance in their 2022 world title clash. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Serrano vacated the WBC title in protest at that sanctioning body limiting women’s boxing to 10 two minute round fights as opposed to the 12 three minute round bouts in men’s boxing.

Nicolson still wants that fight, but for now, Mahfoud will have to do.

“My goal is to make it a statement win and beat her better than she’s ever been beaten before,” Nicolson said. “If this fight goes anything like sparring has, it doesn’t go the distance.

“I’m hurting girls with body shots, with head shots. I’m hurting them in sparring without even trying to.

“I’ve been carrying sparring partners just to get the rounds in. So this fight doesn’t go the distance.”

Nicolson wants to make her first title defence in Australia. Picture: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

A win over Mahfoud would also buck the trend of Aussies losing high-profile fights in Vegas.

From Jeff Fenech’s controversial draw with Azumah Nelson, Jeff Horn’s loss to Terence Crawford and Jason Moloney’s defeat to Naoya Inoue, the Vegas curse strikes often and hard.

It took two more victims last weekend when Michael Zerafa was KOd by Erislandy Lara in their middleweight world title fight, before Tim Tszyu was forced to fight blind after a sickening cut on his head against Sebastian Fundora.

Full of confidence though, Nicolson says Mahfoud isn’t in her league.

Nicolson puts the finishing touches on her training camp in Vegas. Picture: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

“She’s the next best opponent (after Serrano) we could get in the featherweight division,” she said. “Her only loss was to Serrano in a reasonably competitive fight.

“She held her own and people were impressed. She’s had another couple of fights since then.

“She’s awkward, she makes it look like she’s not very good, but I think she’s a bit of a spoiler.

“I’ve prepared for absolutely everything and I’m ready for whatever Sarah Mahfoud brings.”

Originally published as How Skye Nicolson plans to break Australia’s Las Vegas title fight curse this weekend