‘I can do better’ says Taylor after first win

Shannon Taylor outpoints Alisha Lewis: Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

SHANNON Taylor’s career is off to a winning start – but the lightweight has kept the celebrations decidedly low key.

Could do better, must do better – that the message from the Worcester mum after outpointing Alisha Lewis over four rounds.

As she did in her debut last month, the Grimsby boxer acquitted herself well on BCB’s Friday show at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms. Alisha had success with straight punches and won a round – probably the second – for a 39-37 scoreline.

Taylor, who turned pro after a limited pro career, won, but stressed there’s a lot more in the locker.

“I feel I could’ve done a lot better,” the 30-year-old told me. “I hadn’t boxed for a year and there’s plenty to work on.

“I wasn’t stepping-in properly and I was rushing her because it was a four rounder, I’ve got to work on getting the right pace.

“Her movement was quite slick and I was wary of that. I threw body shots to slow her down.”

To be fair, Lewis was no “gimme” first opponent for Taylor, a full time carer. She gave Midlands title challenger Doina Costin a run for her money at Wolverhampton’s Hangar only weeks ago.

“She was not a bad pro debut opponent,” Shannon said. “She was landing some good, clean shots and countering – I needed to throw a few more feints. She was quite slick. I was worried about the first (round), but my corner said I’d nicked it, then she won the second, I won the third and the fourth was my best round – I was starting to pick-up the pace more.

“My best shot was the left hook to the body, left hook to the head.”

Shannon stressed: “I just know I can do a lot better, it’s just pulling it off on the night. I was boxing like I did as an amateur.”

Taylor insists the longer distances will suit her more: “I’ll try to get a six-rounder next and take my time.”

She shouldn’t be too hard on herself. The nerves and emotions that come with a debut can lead to the best laid plans going out the window.

Importantly, she had her hand raised and can build on that performance.