Developing Adams sets her focus on bigger prize

Savannah Marshall was crowned the country’s first women’s boxing world champion in Qinhuangdao on Saturday.

Earlier, Adams, 29, from Leeds, had missed the chance to pip Marshall to the historic honour when she was beaten 14-10 by China’s world No 1 Ren Cancan in the flyweight final.

However, the two could meet again in London this summer as Adams qualified for the 2012 Olympics by reaching the quarter-finals.

Adams, who lost to the same fighter two years ago, said: “I wanted the gold today and sadly it was not to be, though overall I have to be happy with the way my week went.

“The Olympics are the big prize, and I hope to go one step further in London.”

Great Britain’s performance director Rob McCracken hailed Marshall’s 17-15 win over Elena Vystropova of Azerbaijan and insisted: “As long as she continues to work hard, Savannah can achieve anything she wants in the sport.”

Marshall’s historic middleweight victory came on her 21st birthday, and means the Hartlepool fighter will now head towards the London Olympics as one of the favourites to claim a gold medal.

Clearly overwhelmed by her achievement, Marshall said: “It’s been an amazing week and to come away as world champion and with a place at the Olympics is pretty incredible.

“It’s great to go one better than last time (world silver in 2010) and now I am just looking forward to the Olympics, and making sure I am in the best possible shape to be successful in London.”

Natasha Jonas also won a bronze medal in the lightweight category for the women’s team.