‘Girls are swapping ballet for boxing. It’s amazing’
The first-ever Olympic women’s boxing champion on her decision to hang up her gloves because of fears over her eyesight
What has the reaction been like since you announced your retirement earlier this month?
The response I’ve had has been unreal – I can’t believe how many messages I have had. It’s humbling to see I’ve got so much support, really. I am happy and content in what I’ve achieved, and fine with my decision to retire.
For us, at least, it was a bit out of the blue. What prompted it?
The incident with my eye happened in my last fight – against Mexican Maria Salinas in London in September. I tore the pupil in my eye, and in the first round, too, so it wasn’t ideal. I could have stayed on and had another ten fights without anything happening to my eye but I know I could have been caught by a punch there at any time. In the end it wasn’t worth risking my eyesight for.
You must look back on your career with great pride?
I can’t complain! I’ve retired as double Olympic champion (right), amateur world champion, European champion, Commonwealth champion and, finally, as reigning WBO professional world flyweight champion. But the highlight has to be London 2012 – to win that first Olympic gold medal in your home country... amazing.
Are you leaving women’s boxing in this country in a much better place?
It is nice to be able to sit back and look at women’s boxing now and see how far it’s come. Lottery funding has really helped improve women’s boxing in this country and in my time on the British team we were able to train and get great coaching because of it.
And it’s in safe hands with the current talent?
It’s really nice to see girls I know like my former GB team-mates Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron pushing on with their professional careers. You look back and, not so long ago, people didn’t even realise women boxed! Now girls are switching from ballet to boxing, it’s incredible for the sport.
Frank Warren promoted you but was previously sceptical about women’s boxing. How did you convert him?
I think that just goes to show how far we’ve come. We’re in the big spotlight now, along with the men, and we’re winning Olympic medals and turning professional and winning people over.
Is Caroline Dubois – sister of British heavyweight star Daniel – going to be the next big female star to emerge?
She’s an amazing boxer and definitely a medal hope for us if she goes to next year’s Olympics.
You’re still only 37 years old, so what’s next for you?
At the moment I’m just spending time with my friends and family, which is nice because my career has been so busy for so long. I haven’t really had time to think about what I want to do next yet, or whether I want to go into coaching or anything else.
I’m happy with what I’ve achieved and I’m fine with my decision to retire
Nicola Adams was speaking at the screening of a new film marking the National Lottery’s 25th birthday, called ‘What Has The National Lottery Ever Done For Us?’, highlighting its extraordinary impact on UK life since 1994. Visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk