“She Knows I’ve the Style to Beat Her”: Skye Nicolson Insinuates 12 3-Minute Round Retaliation Is an Excuse for Amanda Serrano to Duck Her

The world might see Amanda Serrano as the torch bearer, leading the front to get female fighters equal rights as their male counterparts. However, her rival, up-and-coming fighter, Skye Nicolson thinks there’s more to it. In a controversial take, Nicolson has made an insinuation. She thinks Serrano vacating the WBC Featherweight title has more to do with her being the WBC mandatory challenger than the 12 3-minute rounds the latter has been demanding for female fighters.

Recently, the unified featherweight champ, Serrano relinquished her WBC title after the sanctioning body refused to acknowledge female fighters fighting  12 3-minute round fights, a departure from the earlier rules wherein female boxers were allowed 10 2-minute rounds. Earlier in October, Serrano made history after she fought the first 12 3-minute rounds fight against Danila Ramos in 16 years. Now, if Nicolson is to be believed, there seems to be a hidden agenda behind Serrano championing the women’s cause in boxing.

Is Amanda Serrano Ducking Skye Nicolson?

In a recent conversation with Boxing Social, the 28-year-old Australian boxer, Nicolson made some serious claims against Serrano. While her retaliation to the WBC’s stance has impressed and empowered female boxers overall, Nicolson suggested that it might be Serrano’s attempt to dodge her. Why does she think so? She said, “It’s one thing losing to Katie Taylor and going up in weight, and fighting another undisputed champion. But, she’s got a lot more to lose, losing to up-and-comer who she’s kinda laughed off about fighting. And she knows I have the style to beat her, her team know I have the style to what her.”

Is she ducking Nicolson? Sort of, says the latter. The WBC mandatory challenger thinks it’s a bigger risk for Serrano to fight her in the later stage of her career. She understands her situation but wants Serrano to come clean about it. She remarked, “It’s not the three-minute rounds. Come on. Come on now. Be real.” 

Currently, as per Nicolson, the ball remains in Serrano’s court. It is she who has to call the fight because Nicolson has done everything she can to get the fight against the Puerto Rican fighter. What are the efforts? Nicolson noted, ” have got myself in the position to be her mandatory challenger. I beat the WBC number one in Perez, I beat the WBC number 3 in Lucy Wildheart in my last two fights. I got myself that shot and I got myself in that position. And, she’s now vacated the belt.” 

While Nicolson stands firm on her beliefs, the WBC has meanwhile responded to Serrano’s retaliation against its ruling.

Not Sexism, Explains WBC President

As Serrano gave up the WBC title that she had so valiantly fought for, ‘The Real Deal’ noted, “The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality.” Her intention to stand up to, what many are calling, ‘sexism’ of the WBC has prompted the president of the body, Mauricio Sulaiman to defend the sanctioning  body’s stance. He wrote, “There is not much to say. The WBC has changed the world of boxing in many ways to make our sport safer and will never compromise safety for popularity. This is not discrimination, this is not sexism, this is not about equality it is about safety and safety only. WBC has specific guidelines and rules for women in boxing, including not charging any sanction fees to any female boxer.”

Also Read: Except WBC, Why Amanda Serrano Still Holds WBA, IBF, and WBO Titles: Do These Bodies Sanctioned 12×3-Minute Rounds for Women’s Boxing?

Will Serrano’s protest see any change in the WBC’s rules for female boxing? Currently, the body remains stern in its ruling and does not suggest such possibilities. However, her move has sparked a debate in the boxing realm. Now, there is a deep introspection that has ensued in the industry that seeks to examine gender-based norms in the sport. Are they valid? A pertinent question to ask ourselves as boxing enthusiasts.

What do you think of Amanda Serrano’s move? Let us know in the comments section below.

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