Mariah Turner is embracing the “lifetime opportunity” of Wednesday’s fight with Skye Nicolson.

The 31-year-old challenges her fellow Australian for her WBC interim junior-featherweight title at The Melbourne Pavilion in Melbourne, Australia, and is aware of the considerable boost it would give to her profile were she to win.

Nicolson, 30, is one of the world’s highest-profile female fighters and being lined up for a potential career-defining contest with England’s Ellie Scotney, the undisputed champion at 122lbs.

Turner recognises that she can potentially inherit that position in the event of victory – and also of the significance of fighting in the headline fight of Matchroom’s relaunch in the Australian fight market, with the influential broadcaster Fox Sports.

“This is a lifetime opportunity and it’s really gonna set me up for big times ahead,” she told BoxingScene. “I haven’t looked past Skye. But Skye needs to get past me first – that’s what she should be focusing on and that’s what I’m focused on, and then seeing what options come from this.

“It’s good [that there’s speculation about her fighting Scotney]. It shows that they are overlooking me, and they have underestimated me a little bit – Australia and the world doesn’t really know who I am but this is a great opportunity for me to step in and surprise her and cause a major upset. 

“I’m using it to my power. Being looked at as the underdog, I’m using to my advantage. I’m very focused on Skye and what I need to do. She’s only human at the end of the day. Once we get in there anything can happen.” 

Turner was then asked whether the England-based Nicolson regardless represents her finest opponent in her 14th professional fight, and she responded: “She’s an incredible fighter. She’s been all over the world; fought at the elite levels; Commonwealth Games; Olympics; former world champion. 

“She’s one of the best. She’s very smart; calculated; intelligent. Very relaxed and composed; uses her range really well. 

“She’s the most elite boxer I’ve fought. I’m not sure she’s gonna be the strongest – I’ve fought quite a few tough girls – but she’s gonna be the most elite.

“Everyone knows who she is. She’s backed very well by Matchroom Boxing and gets good exposure. That’s great for her and she uses it to her advantage.

“It’s a great opportunity for Skye with what they’re doing, and I’m grateful that I get to be a part of it.”