Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lisa Whiteside can box, and is handy with a firearm too
When and why you started boxing:
I just went for fitness. I Googled female boxers in the area and found a female boxer at Natbridge ABC. I think she won a national title so I walked in there 15 years ago.
Favourite all-time fighter:
All my family are from Manchester, it’s got to be Ricky Hatton. Loved his style, loved his personality and what amazing fight nights to watch.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, when Fury got dropped, the first fight. Absolutely fantastic. For it to be called a draw was devastating, but the actual fight was phenomenal.
Personal career highlight:
The Commonwealth Games gold medal. I kept battling to get on that number one podium spot. I just missed out at the World championships, but to step on the podium at the Commonwealth Games with a major audience on TV was the pinnacle of my boxing career so far.
Toughest opponent:
The Ukrainian and that was at the Worlds in 2012 (Iuliia Tsyplakova). It was to win my bronze medal, that was at 57kgs. I think I won by six points, I absolutely battered her but she just didn’t stop coming.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My best is that I will not stop. My fitness, everything about me, my strength. My negative thing, I criticise myself too much. My coach is always telling me I train too much.
Training tip:
You’ve got to enjoy it. Obviously push yourself to the limit but just make sure you’re enjoying your training. That’s the absolute key.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
It’s got to be a steak.
Best friends in boxing:
My coach, Mick Day. After I had my head injury it was a horrible time thinking am I ever going to be able to box again and he wasn’t just my coach then, he was my best friend.
Other sportsperson you would like to be:
The person that inspired me while I was at the EIS was Jessica Ennis.
Last film/TV show you saw:
On Netflix, Bruised. Watch it, it’s really good.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Someone really, really pretty! I don’t know.
Best advice received:
To never give up. Follow your dreams.
Worst rumour about yourself:
When I had my head injury, people said I was drunk. I was sat on a wall, the top broke off and it was a five foot drop down and I fractured my skull. Rumours were that I was sozzled. We can negate that story.
Something not many people know about you:
I was a firearms officer in the police. I passed the horrendous training, which is a very strict, hard course. Once I won the European and World medals, I had the opportunity to box full time.
