Boxing
'What matters is between those bells!' - Nicolson unfazed by 'pinch-me' moment versus Turner
Nicolson vs Turner: Subscribe to watch - Wednesday
Skye Nicolson knows she is a perfectionist. The Logan-born star's self-deprecating chuckle says it all when asked on the subject.
"Every little thing that isn't perfect in training, I get fixated on," she confesses to DAZN News. "That's something we're trying to move away from.
"There were moments in my career where I was so focused on bettering my weaknesses, I kind of neglected what I was good at."
She pauses, then gives quirks a grin. "It's been quite a year. There's been a lot of self-development, and a lot of self-improvement.
"We want to make mistakes in sparring, in the gym, so I can put myself in uncomfortable positions. I know my bread and butter."
"Australian boxing is in an exciting era"
Watch (0.49): Skye Nicolson on why this is a huge moment for Australian boxing (clip 3)
Nicolson vs. Turner live on DAZN subscription on Wednesday - watch here
Quite the year is an understatement for Nicolson. 2025 served up a pro career low, followed by a steady rebuild back to the summit.
This week, she bids to take another step towards two-weight champion status, headlining against Mariah Turner in Melbourne.
For the star, a Tokyo 2020 favourite-turned-top export for Australian boxing , it is more than a chance to reassert her bona-fides.
"Definitely, it's a special feeling," she says. "It's a first for me in my caeer [to top the bill]. But I don't feel like it adds pressure for me.
"At the end of the day, it's no different. When that bell rings, it doesn't matter where you are. What matters is between those bells."
Star determined to avoid repeated history
Nicolson is chasing super-bantamweight glory, over a year on from a first loss against Tiara Brown that ended her featherweight reign.
That loss, a state away in Sydney, saw her drawn out by an opponent who worked hard to get under her skin in a split-decision call.
For Nicolson, the blow was bitter twofold, effectively ending her pursuit of Amanda Serrano just as the cards seemed poised to fall.
Now, with the WBC interim strap in hand, she hopes for a crack at the undisputed 122-pound title held by Ellie Scotney later this year.
Yet, again, history appears poised to repeat itself. The Briton wants her own move to featherweight, and with it, a shot at Serrano.
Nicolson is sanguine on the matter now, but she admits she does not want to see a repeat of her woes four pounds lower down.
"The goal is to become undisputed world champion, and I feel like I'm on the doorstep now, again with that opportunity," she muses.
"Six fights ago, I was right there as mandatory, and it didn't happen. [Serrano] vacated the belt. I really hope that doesn't happen here.
"I feel like that's a great fight that could be made between myself and Ellie. But my full focus is on April 29th, more than anything.
"It's not just a must-win, but a must-win in style. A statement performance sets up such a big 2026, maybe even 2027 as well for me."
Back in the saddle for 2026 pursuits
Last out in December against Yulihan Luna, Nicolson scored her biggest super-bantamweight scalp yet, underlining her credentials again.
Yet it has taken four months to get back in the ring. Though not the longest gap of her career, it nevertheless feels a while between rounds.
The star admits that it was not "necessarily planned" as a decision, but that she hopes to fight at least two more times alone after Turner.
"I had a lot of stuff that I needed to sort out following my last fight," she admits. "I think that probably just pushed out the start date for 2026.
"But we plan to continue the momentum. If things go to plan here, and there's a potential early finish, we would like to be out again soon."
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Most fighters tend to be happier when there is less to cut. Nicolson believes her move down the ladder though has unlocked new potential.
"I've found it so good," she acknowledges. "I never really thought, when I was at featherweight, that I was too small. But I feel so much better."
She gives a bemused smile. "It has surprised me a little bit. But at the same time, I was like, what have I been missing here? This is amazing.
"I'm really enjoying how I feel at this weight. I feel bigger, stronger. It's paying off in performances. I feel like I'm going to make a big noise here."
That ties back to her desire to see off Turner when they meet at the Melbourne Pavilion. "For me, I want people to say she's in a class of her own."
Ready to inspire a new generation?
Nicolson's bout comes as promoter Matchroom Boxing bid to make further in-roads into a domestic market already saturated with sporting stars.
As ANZAC Day celebrations across the AFL and NRL wind their way down the East Coast, the star leads off a wave of homegrown talent here.
"I think Australian boxing is in such an exciting era right now," she adds. "There's so much talent, but I feel like it's been underappreciated.
"We have such a great opportunity here with this platform to really showcase what we can do, and show the world how good Australian boxers are."
She pauses. "I feel very privileged. Young kids are going to tune in on Wednesday night, and [...] want to try boxing. That's a very special feeling."
Matchroom Boxing
Time is almost up. Late-evening training may yet await Nicolson, just days out before she takes the next steps in her career. The grind never stops.
Thirty now, with plenty of road in the rearviewmirror, what does she wish she could say to her younger self, to the Skye Nicolson starting out?
There is silence, intermingled with a soft surprise, before she speaks againg. "I always think about this, imagine myself going and talking to [her].
"To see a girl in a boxing gym was almost unheard of. So to tell her the journey you're about to go on, the things you're going to do and achieve..."
She trails off, then lets another grin cross her features. "It's just such a pinch-me moment, to kind of think about it. I honestly wouldn't believe me."
Watch Nicolson vs Turner only on DAZN
Skye Nicolson headlines against Mariah Turner in Melbourne this Wednesday, April 29, watch only on DAZN with a subscription
