Skye Nicolson: World champion boxer’s tragic loss of brothers Jamie Nicolson and Gavin Nicolson in 1994 crash

Gold Coast boxer Sky Nicolson became a world champion this week after a devastating family tragedy which claimed the lives of her two brothers. THEIR STORY

Gold Coast boxer Skye Nicolson became a world champion in Las Vegas this week, defeating Sarah Mahfoud in their WBC featherweight world title fight.

It was a moment of triumph for the 28-year-old, who beat Mahfoud 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91.

But it was also a moment of emotion for the young Gold Coaster, coming 30 years after the death of her brothers Jamie and Gavin.

Skye Nicolson celebrates their win over Sarah Mahfoud in Las Vegas, Nevada. Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

Jamie, 22, was also boxer of great renown and represented Australia at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and winning a bronze medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

At the time of his death he had a 7-1 record as a professional after what was regarded as an “outstanding” amateur career which included gold medals at the Oceania championships, the Kings Cup and Canada Cup in 1992.

Jamie Nicolson in 1992.

Gavin was just 10 years old.

The pair died in a crash with a semi-trailer on the Pacific Highway in March 1994 while on the way to training.

Their father, Allan, said following the tragedy: “ Gavin was just like him (Jamie), he was going to go to the Olympics.

“He wanted to be Jamie. And that is why they are probably together now.’’

Their deaths came only a week after his last bout – a points win over Filipino Navarez at Twin Towns Services Club.

Boxer Jamie Nicolson died in 1994 in a crash on the Pacific Highway.

Jaime’s trainer Johnny Lewis was watching a video of the fight when he was told of their deaths.

“He won that comfortably and he had only begun to scratch the surface of what he was capable of,’’ he said.

Jamie and Gavin’s funeral, held at Beenleigh’s St Patrick’s Church, brought together family, friends and boxers from around the world as the brothers were buried in tracksuits Jaime had brought back from Barcelona.

Australian National Boxing Federation president Allan Moore delivered a tearful eulogy for the young man who could have gone so much further.

Boxer Jamie Nicolson was well-loved.

“In this world there are a lot of achievers … hard workers, and those with lots of talent,” he said.

“Then there are others who give 100 per cent of themselves. Believe me, Jamie Nicolson was one of these.”

Sports presenter Leo Beutel spoke with great praise for Jamie.

“I’ve been broadcasting sport in general for 30 years and I’ve seen some magnificent sportsmen,’’ he said.

“But in that time I’ve never seen any as magnificent as Jamie Nicolson.’

Skye never met her brothers, being born more than a year after their deaths.

But by 2008, when she was 12 years old, she took up the gloves and decided to enter the ring herself.

Skye Nicolson in 2008 with her brother Allan (Trainer), Mum Pat, Skye and Dad Allan,

“I know women’s boxing isn’t in the Olympics yet, but maybe one day,’’ she told the Bulletin in June 2008.

“I enjoy the training, the sparring, everything about it. I’m not worried about getting hit. The aim is not to get hit.’’

She initially trained her older brother, Allan Jr.

Skye Nicolson has come far since she began boxing 16 years ago.

“She was so much like (Jamie). A southpaw, the same stance, the same style,” he said.

At the time, her father Allan described her as the family’s “million dollar baby”:

“Well maybe half-million-dollar. Let’s not put too high an expectation on her,’’ he said at the time.

“At first I wasn’t keen at all for her to box, but it was something she really wanted to do.

“I couldn’t believe it when she first put on the headgear and the mouthguard. It was like watching Jamie step into the ring.”

“After her first fight we had people coming up to us in tears. They could not believe how much she was like her brother. It was emotional.”