Golden girl Adams fighting fit again

The Leeds flyweight was ruled out for six months after an operation on the right hand she had strained prior to the London Games.

But Adams is targeting a comeback at the European Union Championships in Keszthely, Hungary in July – and believes her enforced lay-off might have done her good.

She said: “I have got back to punching and sparring and my hand is fine. I am looking forward to getting back in the ring in July.

“It has been really frustrating not being able to box and watching a lot of my team-mates going off to compete in tournaments since the Olympics.

“I am itching to get back in there but I think I will probably be improved. I have had plenty of time to concentrate on technique and sharpness.”

Adams was among the Great Britain stars greeting winners of the schools Golden Gloves tournaments at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield yesterday. She added: “A lot of the young girls here look up to me as a role model and that is really important for them.

“I just used to look up to Muhammad Ali, but I would have liked to have had a female boxer who I could relate to more.”