27 September 2019

Adams retains title on split decision and admits "I was a bit rusty"

Great Britain's Nicola Adams has retained her WBO flyweight title in a split decision against Maria Salinas at the Royal Albert Hall.

In what she described as the biggest fight of her career, the judges scored the bout 96-94 Salinas, 97-93 Adams, 95-95 draw meaning she holds onto the belt.

After making a slow start, two-time Olympic champion Adams eventually found her groove and worked the ring beautifully in the penultimate round while the match was still very much in the balance.

Entering the final round, the title was still very much anyone’s, but some good combinations from the champion put the pressure on Salinas who started to swing wildly, eventually landing a right hook on Adams, but it was not enough to tip the score to her advantage.

This was Adams’ first bout since October 2018 and she admitted it wasn't her best performance saying: "I was a bit rusty,

"I haven't boxed in a year so it wasn't my best performance."

When asked about a rematch, the champion admitted she would be willing to fight again: “If she wants a rematch I’ll go again,” she said, then adding: “If she wanted a rematch I’d be happy to go again. It’s just being a little inactive. Now I’ve got this under my belt it’s time to go again.

“I’d love to be able to go to Leeds with my title for a rematch - I’ll have to sit down with my coaches and work out what we do.”

Adams and Salinas were closely matched throughout (PA Images)

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