Nicola Adams will create boxing history in her next fight on May 13 by fighting over three-minute rounds.
Whilst the BBBofC do not differentiate between male and female round duration, two minutes has become the norm since pioneer Jane Couch secured the first female professional licence in the UK back in 1998 after a ground breaking court case with British Boxing’s governing body.
But Adams will test herself over four three minute rounds next month when she fights in her home city of Leeds for the first time since her debut amateur fight over 20 years ago.
The double Olympic champion, who won on her professional debut in Manchester earlier this month, felt that two minute rounds were too quick for her to display her full range of skills.
The next change flyweight Adams intends to lobby for is to wear the same size gloves that her male counterparts are permitted to.
Currently BBBofC rules state that all female boxers must wear 10oz gloves regardless of weight, whereas in male contests 8oz gloves are worn for all weight divisions up to welterweight.
"Female boxing has come a long way since Jane Couch made the sport possible here in the UK in 1998," said Adams.
"However, there is still a way to go until both male and female boxers can campaign under the same competition rules. Fighters and fans want these changes to happen and it will make the fights more entertaining.
"It was really frustrating in my first professional fight as every time I felt I was getting close to a stoppage the bell would go for the end of the round.
"It’s great that the BBBofC has supported this first change and hopefully changes to glove sizes will come next."
