THE recent retirement of Seniesa Estrada and the reasons why have yet again brought into prominence the brutality of boxing. The pounding on the body is a well-travelled story. The pounding on the mind, far less so.
Estrada has had her struggles. Unknown to many. They only became visible in that incredibly emotional Top Rank interview with Crystina Poncher. In simple terms, Estrada, at the height of her career, simply said enough is enough.
That, at times, uncomfortable interview was still fresh in my mind when I caught up with the WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicolson over Zoom. The unbeaten Australian was in full retreat mode at the time of our interview. A fighter who understands the need for balance in her life.
“I know the importance of having a rest and a rest from the gym and from the intense training,” Nicolson told Boxing News. “But I also work on outside aspects and other important things in my life. So when I have my downtime from the gym, it’s important to be doing all this other stuff as well.
“I do it because I love it. So I don’t find it draining as such. But I also know the importance of listening to my body and making sure that I am training smarter, so I am not putting myself into a position where I am overtraining. I have only had three fights this year, whereas before, I was having four or five fights a year. Now the fights are more important, there is more pressure. There is all that other stuff that goes with it, and you have to listen to your body more.”
Skye Nicolson might well listen to her body, but equally, more and more of the often fickle boxing fanbase are starting to listen to her. Nicolson and Raven Chapman recently created a little slice of history. The first female fight to land on one of the big Riyadh Season mega-cards. Nicolson made a supposed even fight on paper look anything but as she cruised to another one-sided decision over a fighter who many thought would beat her.
“A lot of people thought the Raven fight was a 50/50 fight,” Nicolson says of that pivotal night in her career. “A lot of people thought that she would beat me and that she would be too much for me. I said before the fight it would be a lot of the same stuff. We didn’t see the best of Raven Chapman. She wasn’t herself that night, and that wasn’t the Raven Chapman we had seen before. But that’s because I didn’t let her, and people don’t want to give me the credit for what I do to my opponents. They make excuses for them instead of looking at what I do.
“I feel that there are a lot more believers than there were 12 months ago. With each performance and every time I beat someone who everyone says will be a tough fight for me, more and more people get on board. Until I get the opportunity to get in the ring with those big names who probably don’t really want to fight me, will I really get that recognition?”
That moment in time isn’t lost on a fighter who, not so long ago, was thinking of putting her professional career somewhat on ice to chase unfinished business on the Olympic stage. “I very much soaked up the whole moment. I was aware before the fight how big and special that moment was,” Nicolson relayed to Boxing News.
“But obviously, winning and performing and all those other things put extra pressure on you because of the importance of the moment. Looking back on it now, it was a very special event for me. But to truly appreciate how special that moment was, probably won’t come for a few years. But I did feel very humbled to be in that position and to have that moment.”
Nicolson is aware of the acute dangers of her trade. A recent quote of hers about wanting to leave the sport with her looks and brains still intact was a telling remark. Those who want, demand even, a little blood and thunder in their sport may not appreciate the sentiment. But when you look back at the plethora of fighters throughout boxing history who have damaged the sport in many ways, Nicolson doesn’t want to be another sad statistic.
“Boxing is a dangerous sport. When I was quoted as saying that, I was asked by someone in the press when I was going to stop smooth sailing through the fights, and stand there and have a fight and go for the knockout. But why would I make a fight hard for myself if I don’t have to?
“Why would I risk getting brain damage? Why would I risk getting my face all smashed up? When I can completely outclass someone without putting myself at any risk. I am still getting paid the same. I am still winning every fight. Every round of every fight.
“There will be certain styles and certain fighters where I will have to stand there and fight. But at this time, nobody in the pro game has made me have to do that. I do want to experience that sort of fight, but I am not going to go through that if I don’t have to do it.
“I do want a fight where someone makes me uncomfortable, and I have to show other things. But I am not going to risk putting myself into those positions when I can beat someone without doing that. I can fight, but people haven’t got to see it yet. But it’s there.
“When someone is good enough to bring that side out of me, then we will see it. But that’s on my opponent. If I can play with you and cruise over 10 rounds, then that’s on you. It’s not on me. There are fighters out there who could do that if they bring the right game plan. I thought Raven could do that.
“I went into that fight, expecting Raven to push me and make me uncomfortable. But she couldn’t execute what she needed to do. But there are girls out there who can. And they will force me to fight. But I have got an answer to that. But you haven’t seen that yet.”
I have interviewed Nicolson many times over the years. Her confidence has been a constant. Even in the embryonic stages of her professional career, Nicolson wanted to test her skills against the then undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano. That self-confidence has only been enhanced. The desire to share a ring with Serrano even more so.
“My confidence has grown because I am constantly getting better. I believed in myself then, I believed I could beat Amanda Serrano two years ago. I can definitely beat her now. I am getting better in every single fight. I am getting better in every single camp. My confidence grows with my skillset. So naturally, I am going to become even more confident.
“I think you need to believe in yourself 100%. If people see that as being arrogant, then that’s their opinion. I am very respectful of anyone and everyone. I am always respectful. I do think arrogance and self-confidence can cross over a little bit. I am never going to disrespect anyone who gets in the ring with me. I am not saying things to be arrogant, I am saying things because I just believe that I am better.
“I just believe in myself, and some people might take that as arrogance, but it’s never intended to be that way or to put someone else down.”
The chances of sharing a ring with Serrano look remote at best, even Nicolson accepts that.
“It does feel less and less likely as the months go by. But for me, that is a big legacy fight. But in the same breath, I am going to create my own legacy.
“At the end of the day, if I am beating everyone who is put in front of me and making history doing my thing, and even if the Serrano fight doesn’t happen, then my name will still be in the history books and I want to be remembered as one of the best female fighters of all-time. I know what I am capable of, and I know how good I am, and I am happy to prove that over time.”
