Who is the future of female boxing? When you look past fighters like Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, and Amanda Serrano, there are only a few names that pop out. But there is one who has already shown that she belongs to the top hierarchy and is here to dictate the sports for the coming years. Skye Nicolson boasts of every tool, every weapon, and every skill that could help her clinch that spot for herself. But her true test is just starting with her title defense against Raven Chapman.

The fans will witness a clash of styles this coming Saturday, October 12, when Nicolson makes her second title defense on a historical bill. She and Chapman will become the first women boxing pair to put on a show for the fans in the Riyadh Season. Therefore, the stakes are high and the biggest to date for the Australian boxer. Will she continue to showcase her exploit, or will the challenger take her down? Before we get to know that, let’s have a look at how the two boxers stack up.

Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman: Tale of Tape

Nicolson, at 29, has built her reputation as a technical fighter, who outclasses her opponents and prefers to assume control rather than go all out. The Yatala native had a rapid surge in the featherweight division since making her debut 2 years ago and has racked up an impressive record of 11-0 with 1 KO with her activity.

If you want to witness what she can do in the ring, you should watch her first title defense, which came against Dyana Vargas in July, where she was clinical and put in a dominant performance. She didn’t allow her competitor to even win a single round with her technical prowess. What’s more? Her KO ratio of 9.09% suggests her preference for breaking down her opponents instead of doing a dismantling job on them.

At first glance, you don’t take her as a daunting fighter with her height of 5’5″ (166 cm) and reach of 68.5″ (174 cm). But the WBC champion knows how to use her frame and dimensions. That’s something that might put Chapman under stress too. But Chapman, at 30, is the older one between the two yet has fought fewer fights. That doesn’t take away the dominance she has shown in her perfect 9-fight-long career.

The British boxer, similar to Nicolson, has defeated every foe that she has faced. The difference is that she puts power behind her punches. That’s not it. Chapman is tenacious, and her unblemished record of 9-0 with 2 KOs speaks volumes about it. She has earned the mandatory challenger tag by putting in a powerful performance, and after defending her WBC international title four times, she is in the driving seat to dislodge the champion and take her spot.

Her KO ratio of 22.22% and fan-friendly style are the first things working in her favor. The second is her size advantage, as the Norwich native stands tall at 5’7″ (170 cm). She also carries the marginal weight advantage, as her latest weight clocked in at 125.8 lbs (57.1 kg) compared to Nicolson’s 125.5 lbs (56.9). Chapman’s power, grit, and size advantage tip the scales of the narrative toward her. But that’s not how it goes down inside the boxing ring. Does it have what it takes to defeat the undefeated?

Prediction: Where will the fight be won?

What separates Nicolson from the rest? Apart from her technical and methodical approach, it’s her excellent footwork and agility that allow her to put her competitors at bay and use the distance effectively. She puts a dent in her opponents’ defense with her combination punching and movement. Moreover, Nicolson has built her professional career on solid amateur career bedrock, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold.

Chapman stands in stark contrast, as she likes to put pressure on and constantly come forward. Her longer reach will help her cut the distance and can do a number on the champion. She is also quick on her feet and has a good boxing IQ, where she knows how to pick up punches. It’ll all boil down to whether, whenever she exchanges and closes the distance, her punches can land and do damage. The featherweight champion is elusive, and if she can negate Chapman’s power, then she will mark her second successful defense.

What do you make of this coming fight between Skye Nicolson and Raven Chapman? Who do you think will leave the arena as a victor? Let us know in the comments below.