Nicola Adams: Going Pro

The National Student

Nicola Adams MBE is without a doubt one of the leading lights in women’s boxing. The amount of accolades heaped on her, both boxing-related and not, is exceptional. The first female boxer to represent England, named as the most influential LGBT person by The Independent in 2012, two Olympic flyweight golds.

It goes on. She’s now considering a professional move…

At Rio 2016, Adams defended her Olympic title, the first Brit to do so in 92 years. When asked about going pro, Adams referenced the transition that Ronda Rousey made from Olympic judo to the MMA. She went on to state that by bringing her large fan-base into the world of professional female boxing, the game could be changed.

While men’s boxing has glitz and glamour, female boxing is often overlooked. Rarely shown on television or interviewed in the press, female boxers go comparatively un-noticed.

Adams though, with the amazing support she gained from her Team GB stint, could change that and bring the sport some of the limelight it deserves.

Although it doesn’t come without a reservation. There are of course the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on her mind, as well as her acting career. She’s appeared on various shows, including Coronation Street and Emmerdale. She also played herself in Waterloo Road.

Weighing in at 57kg, Nicola Adams would fight in the Featherweight Category professionally. The current WBA and WBC champion in this weight is Canada’s Jelena Mrdjenovich, and a match-up of the two would certainly be interesting.

Regardless of her decision, the 33-year-old has already done a lot for the sport, and she has plenty to be proud of.