Britain’s leading female boxer has decided to hang up her gloves due to fears she could permanently lose her vision.
Nicola Adams, who won gold at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and is currently the WBO World Flyweight Champion told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I've been advised that any further impact to my eye would most likely lead to irreparable damage and permanent vision loss.
"I'm immensely honoured to have represented our country - to win double Olympic gold medals and then the WBO Championship belt is a dream come true… But it's not without taking its toll on my body."
Adams finished with an unbeaten professional record of five wins and one draw having turned professional at the age of 35, but it is her stunning amateur career that shot her to stardom. She burst onto the scene at London 2012 and was Britain’s shining light as the Olympics welcomed the sport of women’s boxing for the first time and Adams took gold.
Four years later she became the first British boxer to retain an Olympic title as she won gold again in Rio to add to her Commonwealth, European and world titles. In her retirement statement the 37-year-old said:
"Having people in my life who are a fountain of support, kindness and love has been the sole reason I've been able to represent my country in the way I have.
"It has been an honour to compete on the global stage, and it has been a privilege to fight against such remarkable athletes. Whilst I am proud of my achievements, the unwavering belief from everyone in my corner is something I will appreciate for the rest of my life.
"Hanging up my gloves was always going to be hard, but I have never felt luckier. And I'm so immensely proud of how far the sport has come."
Frank Warren, Adams’ promoter also heaped praise on his fighter, saying:
"Nicola has that star quality in abundance that very few possess.
"Her accomplishments will go down in history and she will always be an icon of British sport.
"She will be much missed in the sport of boxing, but will remain an inspiration to others for many generations to come."
