Skye Nicolson is ready for a tough test against Yuliahn Luna Avila as she eyes an undisputed showdown

The Skye Nicolson redemption arc is almost complete

It's been less than a year since Skye Nicolson (14-1, 3 KO’s) faced the only loss of her professional career. 

The Australian lost a physical battle with Tiara Brown, who used her strength to push the tricky Nicolson into uncharted waters. 

However, nine months later, and at a new weight class, she looks back to her best, and is inches away from reaching new heights. 

Tonight, Saturday 13th December, she faces off against Yuliahn Luna Avila (28-4-1, 4 KO’s) for the WBC interim junior-featherweight title, and a win would see her become the mandatory challenger for an undisputed showdown against Ellie Scotney. 

Speaking on her fight this weekend, Nicolson is aware that it will likely be one of her toughest tests to date.

“She doesn’t get the recognition and the credit for how good she actually is,” Nicolson told BoxingScene.

 “She’s been with absolute killers; she’s beat killers, and she’s been very avoided as well. She’s got a great boxing IQ; she’s very elusive, a smart, back-foot boxer. Very different to most female fighters – especially Mexican ones. I’ve prepared for this fight very seriously. We’re facing, probably, the best opposition we’ve fought as a pro.”

While she admits it will be a tough test, the Australian is confident that she will be able to get the job done.

“Winning means being mandatory for the full world title. It’s win at all costs. But I don’t know if I’ll get the credit for beating her, especially in the fashion that I plan to beat her in, when I beat her, unfortunately.

“She’s a very seasoned pro. She’s very experienced. She’s very good at tying you up and getting people to fight her fight. She’s got a good boxing IQ; she’s got a good ring IQ; she uses the ring well, and she’s got good timing and counter-punching.

“I don’t think she’s been in with someone who also has those attributes. I think she’s had a lot of plodders and come-forward, aggressive fighters – I don’t think she’s had another really smart fighter in with her where I can match her in that sense. Being the bigger fighter coming down to 122, she’s been world champion at 118lbs and 122; me being a former world champion at 126, I think I’m gonna have a bit of a physical advantage. I feel very big and strong for the weight, so I think that will play a part in this fight as well.

“The fight I lost was really good preparation for any future fight, because I had to learn so much about myself and I had to learn so much from that experience. In terms of stylistically, maybe a little bit [too]. But [Avila] tends to be a much more negative fighter; I don’t know if she’s going to bring that same kind of game plan into this fight. Me being also an elusive fighter, it might be a little bit different. I don’t think she’ll be as aggressive or as on the front foot as Tiara Brown was.”