Nicola Adams closed in on the defence of her Olympic flyweight crown with a unanimous decision semi-final win over China’s Ren Cancan in Rio.
While she was heavy favourite for her quarter-final bout on Tuesday, the 33-year old was expecting a tougher challenge against three-time world champion Ren.
The Chinese boxer beat Adams to win the world title in 2012, before Adams reversed the result to land Olympic gold in London three months later.
And while Ren started the stronger in Rio, with all three judges awarding her the opening round, Adams wrestled momentum in the second, sending the Chinese boxer stumbling backwards with a thundering jab, then unleashing a flurry of blows with her opponent on the ropes.
There was more of the same in the third and fourth rounds, with Adams on the front foot throughout as she set up a gold medal match with France’s world bronze medallist Sarah Ourahmoune on Saturday.
“I was taking my time in the first round. I wanted to feel her out and not rush,” said Adams.
“She’s a quick counter-puncher so I didn’t want to take any chances. Then I just built up from there.
“It’s not just been about me and Ren in the draw. To get to the finals, you’ve got to face a few people before that so I was looking at everyone.
“She [Sara Ourahmoune] is a good competitor but I’m hoping I’ll come away with a victory in the final.
“The first fight here I was a little ring rusty but I’ve got that out of the way and now it’s onwards and upwards.”