3 minute read
Australian world champion Skye Nicolson is happy to extend to 12 three-minute rounds if it means she can secure a fight with Puerto Rican great Amanda Serrano.
Skye Nicolson has attempted to corner boxing champion Amanda Serrano, calling her out after claiming the world title belt the Puerto Rican great had vacated in protest.
Australian Nicolson accounted for Denmark's Sarah Mahfoud in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEST), winning every round on two of the three judge's cards in a one-sided duel for the vacant WBC featherweight title.
The UK-based Queenslander's record now stands at 10-0 since she turned professional following a gut-wrenching quarter-final loss at Tokyo's 2021 Olympics.
The 28-year-old joined bantamweight Jason Moloney as Australia's only current world boxing champions.
Far from content, Nicolson has wasted no time resuming her pursuit of the 35-year-old Puerto Rican.
"I'm ready when she's ready. I want the belts. It's nothing personal Amanda, but I'm ready when you are," she said.
Serrano vacated the WBC featherweight title in December after the sanctioning body refused to allow 12 three-minute rounds for women fighters competing for their titles.
Nicolson won the interim belt by beating Lucy Wildheart before fighting Mahfoud for the vacant belt over 10 two-minute rounds.
"I find it funny that she (Serrano) waited until I was her mandatory (opponent) to decide that's what she wanted to do but look, I respect the WBC's rules, that's why I'm still boxing for the WBC belt," Nicolson said.
"If the only way to fight Amanda Serrano is over 12 three-minute rounds, then talk to my team and we'll make it happen."
It may not be that simple though, with Nicolson's promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom also guiding Irish superstar Katie Taylor.
The undisputed super lightweight champion pipped Serrano in a split decision two years ago at Madison Square Garden in a historic fight watched by almost 20,000 live and 1.5 million online viewers.
Their rematch remains in the works, with Hearn flagging a June date at the new Sphere venue in Las Vegas.
