Lisa Whiteside is already itching for more after getting up and running as a professional. 

Chorley's Commonwealth Games gold medallist kicked off her career in the paid ranks with a points win over Dani Hodges at Stevenage FC's Lamex Stadium on Saturday. 

The flyweight, a decorated amateur, was part of the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders' world super middleweight title win over Shefat Isufi. 

Whiteside wants to move quickly towards world honours with a clash with long-time rival Nicola Adams top of her agenda and was pleased to have a tough test on her debut, the 33-year-old dominating the four-round contest. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

“It was a cracking start and a really good fight," said the former world silver medallist. 

“You see people making their debuts and they go in against journeymen or women. But I didn’t get a nobody. 

“She was really firey at the weigh and had had five fights and won four of them. 

“That gave me some extra fire in my belly and I put everything I had into it. 

“I wanted the stoppage but fortunately for her, her gum shield kept coming out which bought her some time. 

“I didn’t have time to finish it in four, two-minute rounds but I wobbled her in every round."

Whiteside immediately got a taste of the big fight feel that comes with being a professional, the outdoor event live on BT Sport. 

Saunders was supported by his good friend and training partner Tyson Fury while Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce, who shares the same manager as Whiteside in Sam Jones, was also victorious on the night as he targets the big names in the heavyweight division. 

"It was really good, a great atmosphere," she said.

“It wasn’t shown on BT and I’m looking to get the full footage to put out but talking to people there, they were calling it fight of the night. 

“I think I’ve got quite a few followers from it.

“I was in the same changing room as Billy Joe and Tyson Fury was around too. So was Joe.

“They were all great." 

Having turned professional at the tail end of her boxing career, Whiteside is in a hurry to move through the professional ranks and is hoping to have her next date confirmed sooner rather than later. 

Her management hope she will be in a big fight before the end of the year. 

“I hadn’t fought since the Commonwealth Games and I needed that fight to give me confidence but my coach Mick told me that there are levels," said Whiteside. 

“It took me about 10 seconds to get my confidence and I could have gone on longer.

“My next fight probably won’t be a four rounder and will hopefully be six.

“We’re looking to get some good opponents and titles soon. 

“Hopefully the fight with Nicola Adams comes if she doesn’t go running again. 

“If not there will be world title fights for me. 

“We’ll move fast and sharp."