Skye Nicolson beats Miyo Yoshida by unanimous decision to retain WBC title

Skye Nicolson has returned from injury with a boxing masterclass, beating Japan’s Miyo Yoshida by unanimous decision to retain her WBC super bantamweight world title in Arlington, Texas, on Monday (AEDT).

The judges scored the fight 98-92, 100-90 and 99-91, all in favour of the Australian southpaw, who improved her professional record to 17-1.

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The win also gave Aussie boxing a measure of revenge. Yoshida had stunned fellow Aussie Ebanie Bridges in San Francisco in December 2023, taking her IBF bantamweight world title by unanimous decision.

Nicolson took control early, using her reach to keep Yoshida at the end of her punches. The challenger kept pressing forward but struggled to close the distance and never found her rhythm.

“Skye is in a flow state,” commentator Crystina Poncher said on the broadcast.

“She has landed double the shots of Yoshida.”

Poncher said Yoshida had to “make it messy” to disrupt Nicolson’s rhythm. By the time the fighters came out for the 10th and final round, the commentary team agreed that the challenger needed a knockout to win.

Nicolson saw out the final round to complete the first defence of the belt she was awarded in May after Ellie Scotney vacated it.

“A wide unanimous decision,” Poncher said.

“Skye landed 80 of the 199 punches she threw.

“She threw more punches and landed more punches.

“She landed more punches on Yoshida than anybody ever has.”

One judge gave Skye Nicolson all 10 rounds, but the Australian was far less impressed with her first performance back from injury.

“I wouldn’t say I was happy with that performance,” Nicolson said.

“It was a pretty average performance, but I’m happy to get the win.

“Happy to get back in there.

“That was the longest I’ve been out of the ring since I turned pro.

“I felt that a little bit out there.”

Nicolson had been due to face Yoshida in Birmingham in August before an injury forced her out of the fight.

“Obviously, it was a frustrating time having to withdraw due to injury,” Nicolson told The Ring last week.

Nicolson said she had made the most of the extra time in the gym and expected a clash of styles against Yoshida, whose work rate had helped her win world titles in two divisions.

“I’m prepared for absolutely anything,” Nicolson said.

The win continued Nicolson’s run since losing her WBC featherweight title to American Tiara Brown by split decision in Sydney in March 2025. Brown remains the only fighter to beat her as a professional.

Nicolson won the interim WBC super bantamweight title against Mexico’s Yulihan Luna in December and defended it against Mariah Turner in Melbourne in April.

She was elevated to full champion in May after Ellie Scotney vacated the belt, setting up the Yoshida fight as her first defence.

Before the bout, Nicolson tsaid she wanted to unify at super bantamweight in 2027.

She also said she still wanted a rematch with Brown and was continuing to chase a fight with Amanda Serrano.

“Unification fights are really there to be made,” Nicolson said.