'TELL ME I CAN'T AND I WILL - THAT'S MY MOTTO'
OK! UK|June 17, 2024
Double Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams talks about her winning attitude, life after hanging up her gloves and the joys of parenthood
KENZI DEVINE
'TELL ME I CAN'T AND I WILL - THAT'S MY MOTTO'

From making history in women’s sport to becoming a two-time Olympic boxing champion, Nicola Adams is undoubtedly a trailblazer. And while she may have hung up the boxing gloves professionally in recent years, the fighter has plenty more on her to-do list. 

Leeds born and bred, Nicola began boxing at just 12 years old and had to, quite literally, fight her way through a male-dominated industry. But as she sits down with OK! ringside after putting us through our paces in a tough Bodyform boxing class, it’s clear that the sportswoman – who beams from ear to ear throughout our chat – is as soft-centred as they come.

“I started boxing because my mum couldn’t get a babysitter for me and my brother, so she dropped us at an after-school gym class, and I fell in love,” recalls Nicola of her first interaction with the sport.

Fast-forward 17 years and Nicola is the first female boxer to become an Olympic champion after winning gold at London 2012. But it was not without its challenges, including the state of women’s boxing when she first entered a ring, and it has been tough getting to the top.

“Female boxing wasn’t really a thing, so we didn’t have the backing that men did,” says Nicola, now 41, who grew up in a time when women’s boxing was banned as a sport. “The male boxers would have a whole team behind them with doctors, new kits and all the funding. While the women had to fund everything themselves – we would have to pay for our own trips and even share kit to fight in, it was shocking.”

Thankfully, Nicola had a strong support system getting into the industry.

“I was the only female in my gym when I started, but I was lucky that everyone was treated equally. Looking back, I really appreciate that from my coach. But, obviously, when you go to other gyms you get the comments about women and how we can’t box, which I’ve never understood.

Bu hikaye OK! UK dergisinin June 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye OK! UK dergisinin June 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

OK! UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT
OK! UK

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT

Simple lifestyle and dietary changes can improve digestion, boost immunity and enhance your overall wellbeing

time-read
4 dak  |
November 18, 2024
I'll cherish my friendship with Vito for the rest of my life'
OK! UK

I'll cherish my friendship with Vito for the rest of my life'

Last year's Strictly winner Ellie Leach tells OK! about life on tour in Cluedo 2 and reuniting with her dance partner

time-read
4 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'If one little thing had gone wrong, my entire path in life would have changed'
OK! UK

'If one little thing had gone wrong, my entire path in life would have changed'

TV presenter Charlene White on her strict Jamaican upbringing in southeast London, her own tough parenting style and why she'd love the Princess of Wales to be a guest on Loose Women

time-read
6 dak  |
November 18, 2024
I have seen cockroaches the size of terriers'
OK! UK

I have seen cockroaches the size of terriers'

Joanna Lumley shares travel tales that aren't for the faint-hearted, Ab Fab gossip and other stories from her legendary screen career

time-read
6 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'Once you become a parent, the times when you leave the house are extra special'
OK! UK

'Once you become a parent, the times when you leave the house are extra special'

Comedian Joel Dommett on returning to the I'm A Celebrity jungle and how fatherhood has changed him

time-read
5 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'We're so pleased our rainbow baby is here'
OK! UK

'We're so pleased our rainbow baby is here'

Mrs Brown's Boys actor Gary Hollywood and his wife Cherylanne invite us into their home to meet special new arrival Carter

time-read
6 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'Ballroom dancing is your real school of life'
OK! UK

'Ballroom dancing is your real school of life'

Former Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff on why she thought she'd never dance again after becoming a mum and how her daughter Mila is now following in her footsteps

time-read
5 dak  |
November 18, 2024
A CELEBRATION FOR THE KING
OK! UK

A CELEBRATION FOR THE KING

As King Charles marks his 76th birthday, we hear how our beloved monarch may take time to reflect on a difficult year and look ahead to a busy, brighter 2025

time-read
3 dak  |
November 18, 2024
WILLIAM'S 'BRUTAL' YEAR
OK! UK

WILLIAM'S 'BRUTAL' YEAR

The Prince Of Wales praises his wife and father as he opens up on the tough challenges of 2024 while visiting Cape Town to present the Earthshot Prize Awards

time-read
5 dak  |
November 18, 2024
'Love is there for absolutely everybody'
OK! UK

'Love is there for absolutely everybody'

Emmerdale star James Moore - who has cerebral palsy and once thought he would never marry - and his wife Sophie Edwards chat to OK! about their big day

time-read
6 dak  |
November 18, 2024