Skye Nicolson calls for Ellie Scotney after outclassing Mariah Turner

The rebuilding of Skye Nicolson continued inside the Melbourne Pavilion in Australia as she scored her fourth consecutive victory, beating Australian countrywoman Mariah Turner on points over 10 rounds, since her surprise defeat to Tia Brown 13 months ago.

In victory, the 30-year-old Nicolson successfully defended her WBC interim junior featherweight title though it is currently a division ruled without dispute by Ellie Scotney, who holds all four belts.

“I want superfights, I want undisputed, I was born for the big stage” Nicolson said after hearing she’d won by three scores of 100-89. There have been reports that Scotney - who is promoted by MVP - is considering moving up in weight, however. 

“Ellie Scotney, I’m next in line, let’s make it happen,” Nicolson continued. “I know you’ve been at 122 for a long time, but come one, have one more fight.”

Today, Skye Nicolson did what Skye Nicolson does as she made the most of her first fight as an event headliner in her 15-1 (3 KOs) career.

Nicolson took control with her sharp counterpunching from the start and Turner’s nose bled profusely throughout.

Nicolson started working well and she got her southpaw left hand moving briskly as the second session progressed. The beltholder was too sharp and found her rhythm early in the third, drawing blood from Turner’s nose that smeared across her face.

Turner’s face began to tell the story of a one-sided fight while Nicolson, cool and calm in the corner with trainers Eddie Lam and Bradley Skeete, was unmarked. 

Nicolson looked to land her lead hook and pivot off in the ninth. She was caught by an occasional cuffing right hand but remained a step ahead, rattling Turner with a left-right near the end of the round.

There was some rough stuff in the 10^th and final round and Turner, 12-2 (6 KOs), was docked a point for using her head but when the action resumed Nicolson speared her with a left hand and maintained her dominance the rest of the way.

Turner, fighting out of Queensland, dropped to 12-2 (6 KOs), while Nicolson is now 15-1 (3 KOs) having won at a canter.

Nicolson said: “I knew she was going to be a tough, tough girl and she showed a lot of heart. We really worked on sitting down on my shots, being more spiteful and being more aggressive.”

As for what comes next, promoter Eddie Hearn agreed with Nicolson: “She’s now mandatory for Ellie Scotney… Like Skye said, that’s one of the best fights in women’s boxing.”