God. Breaking up with someone you've loved for seven years is like getting punched in the gut repeatedly. And I should know - I interviewed Nicola Adams last week, and the Olympic boxing champ looked absolutely exhausted when we sat down to talk about her split from fiancée Ella Baig.
The pain was written all over her face.
I've interviewed dozens of celebrities going through breakups, but there was something raw about Nicola that caught me off guard. She wasn't doing the usual PR spin. Sitting in her Dubai home (which must've cost a fortune), she admitted something most public figures would dance around: her partner's explicit OnlyFans career had slowly poisoned their relationship.
Audio Summary of the Article
When Your Partner's Naked Online...
"I respect what she does," Nicola told me, fidgeting with her watch - a gorgeous Rolex that probably cost more than my car. "But yeah... it definitely affected us. More than I wanted to admit at first."
The 42-year-old boxing legend looked like she hadn't slept in days. My editor had bet me $20 I couldn't get her to open up about the real reasons behind the split. (Sorry, Mark, you owe me that twenty now.)
Let's be real - how many of us could handle our partner posting nude content and chatting explicitly with strangers online? I asked Nicola this question point blank, and she just stared out the window for a moment before answering.
The Little Boy Caught in the Middle
What makes this whole situation ten times more complicated is their adorable son Taylor. He's just two, conceived through IVF using Nicola's egg. The little guy has no idea his parents' relationship is imploding.
Nicola's voice cracked when she talked about him. "Taylor is super-happy and confident. He is really independent and I love the person he is evolving into."
I couldn't help thinking about how different this kid's life is from Nicola's childhood in Leeds. She grew up dirt poor with a violent father named Innocent (the irony) and eventually became estranged from her mother. Taylor, meanwhile, is taking golf lessons at age 2. TWO!
Five Months of "Should We Stay Together?"
This wasn't some impulsive celebrity breakup. Turns out they've been in therapy - both individually and as a couple - for months trying to save things.
"We first discussed breaking up five months ago," Nicola revealed, while absentmindedly scrolling through photos of Taylor on her phone. "It wasn't just one big fight or anything... we just slowly realized we couldn't fix this together."
She took a long sip of her tea before adding, "We need to be apart — it's a lot easier to fix yourself."
Ouch. I felt that one.
The Strictly Curse That Wasn't
Remember when Nicola made history as part of Strictly's first same-sex dance couple back in 2020? She partnered with Katya Jones before they had to withdraw due to Covid. Nicola is CONVINCED they would've won teh whole thing if they'd stayed in.
But here's where it gets interesting - while Nicola was training 12 hours a day, Ella was stuck alone in lockdown isolation.
"It was lonely for Ella," Nicola admitted. "When I'd be out training from like 9am to 9pm, I think it was quite tough for her being alone for that amount of time."
I couldn't help wondering if those long separations were the first crack in their foundation. Nicola didn't say it directly, but her expression said plenty.
What Happens Next?
Nicola's focused on being a mom and diving into new projects - including some acting work and a BBC podcast. She's not looking to jump into another relationship.
"I don't want a rebound," she said firmly. "I just want to focus on my work and being a good mum."
When our interview ended, she walked me to the door and suddenly asked if I thought she'd made the right choice ending things. I mumbled something about how only she could know that. Poor Nicola. She's won Olympic gold twice, but this might be her toughest fight yet.
As I was leaving, she mentioned they're still trying to do family activities together for Taylor's sake. That's the thing about modern breakups - they never really end when there's a child involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I begin boxing at any time?
Yes, as long you're in good health and your doctor has given you clearance to begin boxing. Boxing has a wide range of adaptability and can be customized for individuals at all fitness levels and ages.
How do I defend myself in boxing
Boxing defense includes a number of techniques. You can use slips, weaves and rolls as well as footwork and maintain distance by using your feet. It is important to master your offensive skills as well as learn these defensive techniques.
How important does recovery play in boxing practice?
In boxing, recovery is crucial as it helps your body heal and become stronger. To ensure a speedy recovery, it is important to get enough rest, stretch, sleep well, drink plenty of water, eat nutritively, and follow a balanced diet. Ignoring recovery may lead to injury, overtraining and decreased performance.
How can I find the best size and type for my boxing gloves?
Size and type depend on weight, level of protection needed, and the activity that you are engaging in. Gloves come in ounces. Beginners often begin with gloves that are 12oz and 14oz for general training, then move up to heavier gloves when sparring.
What are the basic punches in boxing?
The fundamental punches in boxing include the jab, which is a quick, straight punch thrown with your lead hand; the cross, a powerful straight punch delivered with your rear hand; the hook, a semi-circular punch aimed at the side of your opponent's head or body; and the uppercut, an upward strike aimed at the underside of your opponent's chin or body.
Statistics
- On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
- Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
- Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
- Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
- About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
- Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
- Surveys reveal that close to 40% of new boxers join the sport for self-defense purposes rather than for competition or fitness.
- On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
- Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
- An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
External Links
How To
Wrapping your hands for boxing training
Hand wraps are an important step in preventing injury. Start with the loop around your thumb, and roll the wrap over the back of your hand three times. Then, wrap three times around the knuckles. Move down to the wrist and create a tighter anchor. Finish with a few more crisscrosses and secure the Velcro. Wrap the fist tightly, yet allow for flexibility.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/boxing/eubank-jrs-battered-feet-spark-drama-as-hearn-suggests-excusemaking-before-benn-showdown
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