By Jake Donovan
Nicola Adams couldn't have picked a better stage to deliver a career-best performance.
The hosting nation's flyweight finalist was brilliant in a 16-7 Gold medal winning effort over Ren Cancan of China. Adams' win etches her name in history, becoming the first ever female boxer to win a Gold medal.
Complaints of home cooking have surfaced throughout the games, a common beef among visiting nations during any Olympic season. There would be no such argument in this particular bout. Adams was dominant from the opening bell, looking like the younger and fresher fighter despite having recently celebrated her 30th birthday.
Cancan came in as the pre-tournament favorite to win, despite having already lost to Adams in the 2012 World Amateur Championships finals.
History repeated itself, as Cancan looked flat over the course of the night. She picked the wrong time to not deliver, as Adams fought as if her life depended on.
The British lightweight blew the doors off in the second round, scoring huge throughout the round and punctuating the frame with a true knockdown courtesy of a combination.
Adams never looked back from that point, preserving her lead and disallowing Cancan any belief that she could punch her way back into the fight.
Great Britain is guaranteed four more medals in men's competition. It's possible that all four go on to Gold medal honors. Regardless, there can only be one first and that honor belongs to the 30-year old Nicola Adams.
Flyweight Finals (Thursday, August 9)
Nicola Adams (Great Britain) def.
Ren Cancan (China), 16-7
Adams wins Gold medal; Cancan takes Silver medal
Flyweight Semifinals (Medal Round - Wedneday, August 8):
Ren Cancan (China) def. Marlen Esparza (USA), 10-8
Nicola Adams (Great Britain) def. Chungneijang Mary Kom (India), 13-6
Esparza and Kom share bronze medal honors
Flyweight Quarterfinals (Monday, August 6):
Ren Cancan (China) vs. Elena Savelyeva (Russia), 12-7
Marlen Esparza (USA) vs. Karlha Maglioco (Venezuela), 24-16
Chungneijang Mary Kom (India) def. Maroua Rahouli (Tunisia), 15-6
Nicola Adams (Great Britain) vs. Stoyka Petrova (Bulgaria), 16-7
Round of 16 Matchups (Sunday, August 5):
Elena Savelyeva (Russia) def. Hye-Song Kim (North Korea), 12-9
Karlha Magliocco (Venezuela) def. Erica Matos (Brazil), 15-14
Chungneijang Mary Kom (India) def. Karolina Michalczuk (Poland), 19-14
Stoyka Petrova (Bulgaria) def. Sion Fernandes (New Zealand), 23-11
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter:
@JakeNDaBox
