Olympic golden girl Nicola Adams says Savannah Marshall can win in Rio

That was the prediction of golden girl and British team-mate Nicola Adams, who made history four years ago by becoming the first female Olympic boxing champion.

Marshall and Adams are part of a 12-strong Team GB boxing squad for the games next month.

Adams has no doubts the Hartlepool boxer can join her on the gold standard in Brazil.

“Savannah is right in her prime now and she’s definitely good enough to win gold,” said Adams.

“She’s qualified the hard way, like the rest of us have done, so she’s definitely good enough to cope with anyone she comes up against.

“Savannah’s fought them all before and done well.”

Marshall, the only boxer to hold a win over Olympic middleweight champ Claressa Shields, won her Olympic place after reaching the semi-finals at the World Championships.

Adams said it was a “relief” when the Headland ABC star made it to her second Olympics.

“It’s nice to have us both there,” said the 33-year-old, from Leeds.

“We’ve gone on the journey since London together, and I’m really glad we’re going to be going together to Rio.

“For a while, it looked like I might be the only female going, so it’s nice to have the two of us together!

“I was really happy when she qualified. We’ve been team-mates for years now and we always watch each other’s fights when we can.

“I guess it was a bit of relief when Savannah made it because it was the last chance to qualify.

“It was pretty much all or nothing for her in Kazakhstan, but she did the job and got herself that Olympic place and that says a lot about what type of a competitor she is.”

Marshall proved her metallity was up to the job thanks to that run in Astana, where she completed a full set of World medals after silver in 2010 and gold in 2012.

But Adams, who will be defending her flyweight title in Rio, says the 25-year-old’s talent inside the ring makes her the greater fighter she is.

“I think for Savannah, her main strengths are her power and her speed,” she said.

“When you combine those two, it’s very hard to cope with.”