Skye Nicolson vs Raven Chapman Predictions: Historic title defence in Riyadh

WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicolson defends her title against Raven Chapman this Saturday, October 12. The fight will be the first women’s world championship bout ever to take place in Saudi Arabia. 

The Kingdom Arena in Riyadh hosts the historic bout, taking place on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s undisputed light heavyweight title bout with Dmitry Bivol. Sky Sports Box Office, TNT Sports Box Office and DAZN PPV will all screen the event.

Here are my Nicolson vs Chapman predictions ahead of this landmark fight.

It should never have taken this long for Riyadh Season to welcome the best of the women’s game onto their mega-shows. But now the divisive promotional outfit has caught up, they have at least chosen a fine first foray into the brilliant women’s arm of the sport. Nicolson and Chapman is that rare example of a fight which is the toughest yet in the career of both combatants.

Nicolson is the unbeaten Australian amateur darling who won Commonwealth gold and World Championship bronze for her country. Nicolson also competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She initially harboured ambitions of reaching another games alongside her pro career, but Nicolson is now prioritising the paid ranks.

Nicolson’s focus has paid off. Here she stands as the WBC featherweight queen, with a gleaming 11-0 ledger. Despite the usual anti-Matchroom moans about being protected, Nicolson has fought fine competition as she has built her impressive record.

The 29-year-old has beaten current European super bantamweight titlist Tania Alvarez, former world champions Linda Laura Lecca, Sabrina Maribel Perez and Amanda Serrano foe Sarah Mahfoud. For someone who dismissive fans say has never fought anyone, she has taken on all comers.

But Chapman may be the best yet. A lot of that is based on potential. Unlike most of Nicolson’s foes so far, we have not yet seen what the 30-year-old’s ceiling is. ‘The Omen’ has looked good in dispatching solid competition. She has her own win over Lecca and a decision over ex-world champ Jorgelina Guanini. 

Having forged a similar path, these two boxers now meet at the most opportune time. They each have an unbeaten record to risk. They are just a year apart in age. They have met a similar level of competition. Nicolson has the edge in terms of world-level experience, but there isn’t much to pick between them

The bookies like Nicolson. I think much of that is due to her increased exposure and the bigger stages upon which she has fought. I think this one is a little closer than the 1/6 odds in the champion’s favour make out. Typical of a Riyadh Season card, this is a well-matched bout.

This will come down to whether we have already seen Chapman’s best. If she has another gear, Nicolson could be in trouble. But if the titleholder boxes to her maximum level in return, we could be in for one hell of a fight.

Skye Nicolson vs Raven Chapman Fight Odds

Nicolson is your 1/6 favourite in this one. Chapman is a 9/2 underdog while a draw is priced at 16/1.

Skye Nicolson vs Raven Chapman Full Card

Artur Beterbiev (c) vs. Dmitry Bivol (c); IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles 

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweights 

Fabio Wardley (c) vs. Frazer Clarke II for the British heavyweight title 

Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Jack Massey for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles 

Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light Heavyweights 

Skye Nicolson (c) vs. Raven Chapman for the WBC featherweight title 

Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez

Skye Nicolson vs Raven Chapman Prediction

It is obvious, considering her 10 decisions in 11 fights, but I think Nicolson wins this one on points. I have seen nothing out of Chapman that suggests she’ll get stopped, but also nothing that suggests she’ll win. I think it could be tight, but I’m going for Nicolson on the cards at 1/4.

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