Defeat - but pleasing debut fight for Alisha

Costin (right) catches Lewis with a left. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB

ALISHA Lewis can take a lot of positives from her debut – and I felt the Grimsby girl unlucky to come out of it a loser.

On BCB’s Hangar, Wolverhampton, show on Friday, Lewis faced former Midlands featherweight title challenger Doina Costin over four rounds. She showed good movement, jabbed well and played her part in an entertaining scrap, Costin, from Northampton, taking referee Kevin Parker’s decision by a 40-37 decision.

I had it all square, Lewis taking the first two sessions, Costin pressing her foot on the pedal after the halfway mark.

It was a battle of novices, despite Doina’s 10 rounds experience. The 31-year-old gained her shot against champion Sian O’Toole after only two fights and the rawness showed in points defeat.

Backed by BCB, she’s aggressive but needs to learn how to work openings and throw more punches inside.

In the first, Lewis showed excellent footwork, jabbed well and landed crisp right hands. She simply let her concentration slip and waited in the pocket too long as the bout progressed.

She took the second on my card, then allowed Costin to boss the action and push her back.

The fourth was the best of the contest, with Costin finishing strongly while Lewis attempted to pick-pocket with jabs.

Both scaled 9st 2lbs.