Nicola Adams was ducking and diving and no-one was landing a punch - and that was just in a post-fight showdown with the media.

Adams continued her bid to become the first British boxer to retain an Olympic title for 92 years by reaching the women's flyweight final this weekend.

China’s Ren Cancan - who she won gold against in the London 2012 final - was always going to be a stubborn opponent, having beaten Adams to win the world title in 2010 and 2012.

But despite losing the first round, the 33-year old looked to be fighting within herself and rocked her opponent back on her heels in the second and then slammed home that advantage to win with confidence.

Adams doesn’t let her guard down in or out of the ring, she doesn’t engage in fighting talk and never ever discusses opponents. Interviewing her is as difficult mentally as taking on her in the ring is physically.

“I took my time to get into it, I wanted to feel her out a bit and not be rushed,” she said.

“She’s a quick counter puncher but I took my chances and built on it. The first fight was a bit ring rusty but I got that out the way and it’s onwards and upwards.

“My form is good. I’ve got the European and World titles and I want that Olympic title back too - all in the same year.

“There’s no-one in the draw I look for, I look out for everybody, they’re all good competitors but I’m hoping for a victory.”

Read into those 102 words what you will, but while her media commitments may not have been enlightening, her performances are and, on this evidence, final opponent, France’s Sarah Ourahmoune, looks to have her card already marked.

Ourahmoune won bronze at this year’s World Championships but faces a massive task to beat Adams, a boxer she describes as her ‘idol’.

“Boxing Nicola will be a pure joy for me because I've been following her for many years,” she said.

“I have one day to set up a strategy but this time I'm really going to fight using instinct.

“I think Nicola has a very nice style, her own style, and you can see that boxing is in her blood. She is a natural boxer and that makes a big difference.”

Boxing at these Games remains mired in talk of corruption, with allegations of dodgy officiating which increasingly seem a bit like the Olympic flame, a fixture at every Games.

Some referees have been sent home and AIBA, boxing’s world governing body, released an unfortunate statement insisting they had ‘zero tolerance to fair play’ - later amended to foul play.

Boxing fans here are a fickle lot too, they cheer their own, loudly boo any country they don’t like - neighbours don’t equal good friends in these parts - and display an air of indifference to anyone else.

But Adams, who enters the ring as she leaves it, all smiles and white teeth, is a popular exception.

“I guess they liked my style,” she added. “I come into the ring smiling and happy and perhaps that’s what they want to see, someone enjoying being in Rio and enjoying their boxing.”

- Aldi is the first Official Supermarket partner of Team GB and has been championing our nation’s extraordinary athletes on their Road to Rio and encouraging the public to tuck into fresh, affordable, Great British food. For more information visit aldi.co.uk