Nicola Adams admitted it was with a heavy heart that she made the decision to withdraw from this year’s Women’s World Boxing Championships, with a troubling shoulder injury requiring her to undergo surgery.
Adams, the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title, made history again this summer when she became the first female Commonwealth Games boxing champion.
That victory came despite struggling through the Games with a left shoulder complaint which had been present since the turn of the year.
The 31-year-old had been desperate to compete in November’s Women’s World Boxing Championships in South Korea as she went in search of the one major title that still eludes her having won silver in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
But with the injury becoming worse during Adams’ bouts in Glasgow, the decision was taken for the boxer to undergo surgery.
The operation will take place in the next two weeks with Adams expected to be out of the ring for between four and six months.
Adams said: “I struggled through the Commonwealth Games so winning gold for England meant even more to me knowing I was not competing at my best.
“Choosing to have the operation now was not an easy decision. I am gutted not to be taking part in the World Championships, as I know everyone was behind me, but having the operation now will mean I have longer to recover and will be able to return fitter and stronger.
"I would like to thank everyone at GB Boxing and the public for all of their support.”
© Sportsbeat 2014