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Kids' boxing class stirs memories for Nicola Adams

Connor Bennett & Louise Parry
BBC News, Suffolk
Jamie Niblock/BBC A teenage girl with black hair in a ponytail trains with Nicola, holding up her two hands inside black boxing gloves. She prepares to punch a padded cushion that Nicola is holding. Nicola wears a blue long sleeved sports top with neon strips around the middle, and has blonde short curly hair. She wears silver earrings. In the background you see other people practising with punchbags.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Nicola ran a session for young people and professional boxers in Ipswich

Olympic double gold medallist Nicola Adams said dropping in on a children's club session "brings back memories from when I started boxing".

Adams, 42, ran a masterclass at Ipswich Boxing Club in Suffolk on Wednesday, where her uncle Rob Ottley is one of the coaches.

"It's been a great night - she's got stuck in with everyone, doing pads. The kids loved it," said Mr Ottley.

Adams, who became Olympic champion in 2012 and retired in 2019, said seeing the young boxers "makes me relive everything – I almost wanted to get back in the ring".

Jamie Niblock/BBC A blonde haired boy wearing black boxing gloves prepares to punch the punchbag while Nicola stands next to it. Jamie Niblock/BBC
Adams said "a boxing gym is such a safe space", especially for young people

Adams took up boxing as a teenager in West Yorkshire, and said the sport offered young people a sense of purpose.

"It helped me out a lot when I was younger, growing up on a council estate in Leeds," she said.

"It gave me focus and drive and something to dedicate my life to."

After retaining her flyweight title in Rio in 2016 and turning pro in 2017, Adams stepped down from the sport over fears she could lose her sight.

But she hasn't lost her passion for the ring.

"I'm here for the love of boxing, and I like to help out the kids," she said.

"I think it's always inspiring when you get to see someone in the flesh who's achieved so much in boxing. It gives you so much more motivation," she said.

Jamie Niblock/BBC Eilish Tierney smiles at the camera. She wears a black adidas vest and has tattoos on both arms and shoulders - the visible ones are of Cupid flying with an arrow. Her brown hair is tied back and she has a silver nose ring. Jamie Niblock/BBC
Eilish Tierney said it was "incredible" to have someone like Nicola "pioneer the way for us"

As well as becoming the first ever female Olympic boxing gold medallist in 2012, Adams was also the first open member of the LGBT community to become champion.

Known for her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing alongside Katya Jones, she is the new host of the BBC's LGBT Sport Podcast.

Eilish Tierney, the first professional female boxer in Ipswich, was also at the club and trained with Adams.

"To have someone of her calibre give me advice is mental," she said.

"She opened the door for so many young females to consider being pro, let alone boxing.

"It's absolutely incredible what she's doing for women, gay women, black women. To have met such an amazing woman, let alone a boxer – it's awesome."

Jamie Niblock/BBC Rob smiles at the camera wearing a black adidas t-shirt with his name printed in white, as well as Ipswich Boxing Club. He has a smart goatee beard,Jamie Niblock/BBC
Rob Ottley says: "Anyone can put on pair of gloves - take yourself down to your local club"

Mr Ottley, 55, agreed about his niece, who he described as "top drawer".

"What an ambassador she is for the sport," he said. "We want to see more girls come into this sport.

"We might get another Nicola Adams, but even if they just want to get fit - great. It's important to get them off the street, doing something productive."

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