(NOV 10)  Winning Gold again in Rio meant that Nicola Adams, the 34 years old from Leeds, became the first British boxer to retain an Olympic Gold title since Londoner Harry Mallin 92 years ago and as the British awards season has just begun we can be sure that further honours will be bestowed on the modest Yorkshire native.

 

Last week she received the prestigious MOBO ‘Paving The way’ award from Sir Lenny Henry and later visited Cookridge Street in Leeds where the paving stone is set, accompanied there by the awards founder Kanya King.

On receiving the award from Sir Lenny, World & Olympic campion Adams said: “It’s so nice to be receiving it just because I’ve worked so hard and paving the way for other girls so they don’t have to struggle coming up in boxing and there’s a path for them to follow.

“They know they can box for England, go to Boxing GB and hopefully be at the Olympics and hopefully win some more gold medals.”

She recalled her days as a 12 years old hoping to break the barriers and become a boxer:

"I was told, if your dreams don't come true, you can be a ringcard girl.

"Women should be in the kitchen. Women shouldn't be allowed to box.

"And my favourite one is - why don't you just go play tennis?"

Looking back at those days she smiled and said it sounded funny now but that was what life was like then and she was determined to fulfil her dream.

"But I evolved, I knew I wanted to create a path so girls could follow.

"And I'm standing here now receiving this award, and this is what I say:

“Tell me I can't, and that's why I will."

Later with MOBO Awards founder Kanya King in Leeds City Centre next to her Gold Post Box (awarded to London 2012 Gold medallists) Adams went on to

say:

“Leeds is where I made myself a champion. When girls follow in my footsteps, they know the path is there for them, they know they can become an Olympic champion. If I can, they can, and I’m so proud that I’m able to show them that.

“It’s been the icing on the cake for me to receive this from MOBO, a movement that I’ve always been inspired by. I really believe in creating a path that the next generation of talent can follow and want to continue giving something back to my community."

As we told you here on WBAN earlier this week there are indications that Nicky may soon join Claressa Shields, Franchon Crews, Tiara Brown, Victoria Torres and Katie Taylor in the Pro ranks. Matchroom Boxing supremo Eddie Hearn has told British media that he has been “in discussion” with the Yorkshire woman and is hopeful that contractual arrangements can be finalised in near future.

Adams though, unlike Shields, Crews, Torres, Brown and Taylor is in no immediate hurry to seal a deal as she is likely to pick up further prestigious awards in the weeks ahead, all of which would greatly enhance her ‘value’ and as she’d be 37 come Tokyo this might be the time to turn Pro rather than wait and hope to make it three in a row in Tokyo.

Said Matchroom’s Hearn:

“I've spoken to Sky about Nicola Adams and they are interested, which is a change from the old-school mentality.

"I want to find out what she wants to do and I'm sure we could get her a world title fight.

"With Nicola, a lot of people will be interested in the debut and after three or four fights, she could headline in her home city of Leeds for a world title.

"I think she is ready to go pro and if she genuinely wants to become a world champion and that is a real goal of hers, I think it can be done."

Kanya King and Sir Lenny Henry introduce Mobo Awards winner 2016 to Olympic champion Nicola Adams (courtesy You Tube) :