SYDNEY — In a thrilling display of boxing prowess, former police officer Tiara Brown clinched the WBC world featherweight championship after a closely contested split-decision victory over Skye Nicolson on Saturday. Brown, at 36 years of age, managed to outscore Nicolson, taking victory with scores of 97-93 and 96-94 in her favor, although one judge scored the fight 96-94 for Nicolson. This triumph marks an undefeated streak for Brown, bringing her record to 19 wins and no losses, while dealing Nicolson her first professional defeat, leaving her with a record of 12 wins and 1 loss.
The emotional climax saw Brown, previously a law enforcement officer with both the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. and most recently with the Fort Myers Police Department in Florida, fall to the canvas in tears upon the announcement of her victory. Ahead of the grueling 10-round bout, the Fort Myers PD extended their well-wishes on social media, highlighting Brown’s fighting spirit in and out of the ring. Besides her exemplary career in law enforcement, Brown serves as a boxing coach with the Fort Myers police athletic league.
In a ringside interview with broadcaster DAZN, Brown expressed her gratitude, acknowledging God and her supportive community in Fort Myers. Her journey to the championship, characterized by dedication, was summed up in her words: “20-plus years of wanting this moment.” With an eye on the future, the new champion stated she isn’t rushing to plan her next fight just yet. Currently, her focus is on celebrating, indulging in treats, and some leisurely cartoons.
Her opponent, the 29-year-old Nicolson, had previously claimed the title in April with a unanimous-decision win over Denmark’s Sarah Mahfoud in Las Vegas and had successfully defended it twice before. Despite this recent setback, Nicolson remains a formidable presence in the boxing world.