Nicola Adams is already a legend in
British women’s boxing, with two Olympic gold medals on her CV
and another six golds and four silvers elsewhere from a
glittering amateur career.
Whatever happens in her time as a professional nobody can take
that way but, having ditched her amateur status and joined the
pros, theLeeds-born fighter is determined to get to the top
under the guidance of Frank Warren.
She kicked off her life as a pro with a points victory over
Argentina’s Virginia Noemi Carcamo on April 8 in Manchester and
followed it up by stopping Maryan Salazar of Mexico in front of
her adoring home fans last month.
The bout with Salazar was the first time a British female
fighter had competed over three-minute rounds but, far from
being daunted, the ever-smiling Yorkshire woman simply stated
prior to the fight that it gave her more time to knock out her
opponent.
She was of course true to her word and it is that inner
confidence that sets her apart from her peers.
Whether she can go on to win aworld title only time will tell as
there are plenty of toughopponents to get by who have
beenfighting three-minute rounds for years and have many more
professional miles in their legs.
But Adams has made an encouraging start and her work ethic will
certainly stand her in good stead for the tougher tests to
follow.
Time is not on her side, however, as the 2012and 2016 Olympic
flyweight champion will be 35 in October and Salazar is nearly
half her age.
Her trainer, Jason Spencer, feels she will soon be ready for a
world title fight and, with age against her, that will clearly
be the objective.
As a measure of how tough it will be against the best in her
division, Adams is said to be eyeing about with Mexican legend
Zulina Munoz, who had lost only
once and picked up 48 professional wins before losing to
compatriot Guadalupe Martinez Guzman on May 13.
The 29-year-old was unbeaten for 10 years heading into the fight
but was second best to her 25-year-old opponent.
Both have been regularly boxing over three rounds and are
battle-hardened professionals and it would be interesting to see
if Adams could make the adjustment necessary.
The good thing from the British fighter’s point of view of that
she has taken a realistic approach to the next stage of her
career and said prior to the Salazar fight that she knows being
successful outside the amateur ranks and winning a world title
is not going to be easy.
Following Adams’ career over the next couple of years should be
fascinating. If you fancy Adams and chances of winning a world
title in the next year then the
latest boxing predictions at Free Super Tips will be useful
to any women’s boxing fans who a flutter.
Indeed, there are a few high-profile pundits and journalists who
have doubted whether she has what it takes to become one of the
greats of the professional game but, whatever happens between
now and the day she hands up her gloves, nobody can question her
ambition, dedication and the fact she is a splendid example to
youngsters who fancy trying their luck in the toughest sport of
all.