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Skye Nicolson To Defend World Title
Against Miyo Yoshida On Aug. 29
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Jake Paul’s Most Valuable
Promotions have today entered a landmark, long-term
strategic alliance focused on accelerating the growth of
women’s boxing.
The partnership brings together MVP's industry-leading
platform for women's boxing and Matchroom Boxing's global
promotional expertise and world-class roster to create
significant new opportunities for female fighters both
inside and outside the ring.
And reigning WBC Super Bantamweight world champion at
122lbs, and 2020 Australian Olympian, Skye Nicolson (16-1, 3
KOs) becomes the first fighter to compete under the newly
announced strategic alliance from MVP and Matchroom Boxing.
Under the alliance, Matchroom Boxing will work with MVP to
continue elevating Nicolson throughout the next phases of
her professional career – starting on Saturday, August 29 in
Birmingham England, when the Australian defends her title at
bp pulse LIVE against Japan’s two-division champion Miyo
Yoshida (19-5, 1 KOs), airing live on Sky Sports in the UK
and on ESPN+ in the USA.
The alliance reflects a shared commitment to strengthening
the long-term ecosystem of women's boxing. Rather than
competing in isolation, MVP and Matchroom Boxing will work
together to identify career-defining opportunities for elite
female athletes, support the continued growth of world
championship competition, and help expand the global
audience for women's boxing through premium events,
innovative storytelling, and increased commercial investment
in the sport.
Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn, said: “This is a
partnership not many would have seen coming. But it is one
that makes perfect sense.
“For a long time, Matchroom has singlehandedly carried the
flag for women’s boxing. In recent years, MVP have done an
incredible job too. They now have an unprecedented stable of
Champions and continue to break the boundaries for women’s
boxing time and time again.
“For our female fighters – like WBC World Champion Skye
Nicolson, who fights Miyo Yoshida on August 29 in Birmingham
– to chase legacy and to fight the best, this new alliance
is integral and we are fully committed to working together
with MVPW to continue to grow women’s boxing.”
Nicolson becomes the first athlete to compete as part of
MVP’s and Matchroom’s landmark strategic alliance.
Born and raised in Queensland, Australia, Nicolson's stellar
amateur career saw over 150 fights around the world
including a Commonwealth Games gold medal, bronze at the
amateur world championships, and representing Team Australia
in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where she finished as a
quarter-finalist.
Off the back of the Olympics, she signed a long-term
promotional deal with Matchroom and began a very active
professional career that skyrocketed her to her first world
title in just her 10th professional fight, defeating Sarah
Mahfoud for the WBC Featherweight Title in 2024.
Now 16-1 as a professional, Nicolson most recently rose to
Interim champion and mandatory challenger for the WBC 122lbs
title. Shortly after, the belt was vacated by former
undisputed champion Ellie Scotney, and Nicolson was elevated
to become a two-time, two-division WBC World Champion in May
2026.
Entering this next chapter under the MVP and Matchroom
strategic alliance, the 30-year-old prepares to unify the
super bantamweight division and aims to be part of the
biggest fights in women’s boxing.
“Women’s boxing is entering a new era, and I want to be
right at the centre of it. This partnership with MVP and
Matchroom gives me the opportunity to chase legacy, compete
in the biggest fights out there, and help continue pushing
women’s boxing forward,” said Skye Nicolson.
“My goal has always been to test myself against the very
best and be involved in the biggest fights in women’s
boxing. I truly believe this move puts me in the best
possible position to do exactly that. I’m excited for what’s
ahead and can’t wait for this next chapter of my career to
unfold.”
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable
Promotions. added: "Skye is one of the most recognizable
athletes in women's boxing today.
"As a two-division world champion, Commonwealth Games gold
medalist, Olympian, and one of Australia's biggest stars,
she represents the caliber of athlete we're building MVP
around. Since launching MVPW, our mission has been to create
the premier global platform for women's boxing by bringing
together the sport's biggest champions and delivering the
biggest fights.
"Skye shares that vision and ambition, and together we're
excited to help create the defining moments of the next
chapter of her career, beginning with her world title
defense against another outstanding former champion in Miyo
Yoshida on Saturday, August 29.”
Miyo Yoshida is a three-time, two-division world champion
from Kagoshima, Japan. A former IBF Bantamweight World
Champion and two-time WBO Junior Bantamweight World
Champion, Yoshida has established herself as one of Japan's
most accomplished female fighters.
She made history as one of only a handful of Japanese women
to win world titles in multiple weight classes and has
earned recognition for her technical skill, resilience, and
championship pedigree. Known as the "Fighting Single Mother"
in Japan, Yoshida is a former The Ring Most Inspirational
Female Fighter award recipient and a revered role model both
inside and outside the ring.
After relocating to the United States, she now trains at the
legendary Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, New York. Yoshida most
recently earned a victory over Edith de Jesus Flores in
April 2026, following a unanimous decision win over Beata
Dudek in February 2025. She captured the IBF Bantamweight
World Title with a dominant unanimous decision over Ebanie
Bridges in December 2023 after accepting the fight on less
than two weeks' notice.
"Many people see Skye Nicolson as the favorite and I
understand why as she is an excellent fighter,” said Miyo
Yoshida.
“But I have dedicated my life to boxing and I am prepared to
give everything for this opportunity. I promise the fans
will see a fearless Miyo Yoshida.
“I will bring the heart of Japan, my experience as a
three-time World Champion and everything I have into this
fight. On fight night, I believe the world will see me
crowned as the new WBC Super Bantamweight Champion.”
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