Adams surges to boxing gold

Britain’s Nicola Adams became the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title when she stormed her way past China’s Ren Cancan to take the flyweight gold on Thursday.

Adams easily recorded a 16-7 win in the final at the ExCel arena in south east London over the three-time world champion.

The Briton shadow boxed in each corner of the ring in delight after the fourth and final two minute round, all of which she dominated.

“I have just wanted this all my life, all this support has really made my day. I am just so happy and overwhelmed tonight,” Adams told the BBC.

The noisy crowd, including British royalty in the form of Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, roared in delight as Adams bossed the early exchanges to open up 4-2 lead after the first round.

Adams evaded the jabs of Ren to land clever shots and get in the face of her illustrious opponent, who had impressed at the Games with her ability to fight at a distance with her rangy jab.

Adams then landed a massive right hand halfway through the second round to dump Ren flat on her back on the canvas as she took a 9-4 lead.

The intensity unsettled Ren who tried to mix it with Adams rather than use the boxing artistry that had taken her to three world championships as the Briton easily closed out the contest, the first of three women’s boxing finals on Thursday.

Losing semifinalists Mary Kom of India and American Marlen Esparez took bronze.
Ireland’s Katie Taylor beat Russian Sofya Ochigava to win the women’s Olympic lightweight boxing gold medal.

Taylor, roared on by passionate crowd at the Excel Arena, beat the taller Russian 10-8.
Losing semifinalists Mavzuna Chorieva of Tajikistan and Brazilian Adriana Araujo took bronze.

Meanwhile, the president of amateur boxing’s governing body expects to replace the sport’s computerized scoring system with the traditional professional judging system well before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.

Wu Ching-kuo said that it’s all part of his plan for Olympic boxing to look more like the pro game. He wants the return of the pros’ 10-point scoring system that takes into account every aspect of a fighter’s skill, not solely his ability to land clean punches.

The computerized scoring system currently used in amateur boxing has been widely criticized for warping the sport into something resembling fencing with gloves.
Wu wouldn’t speculate on when the change can occur in the amateur sport, but says ‘we are on the way’.

He also said he would prefer to make the rule changes well before Rio.