LISA Whiteside faces a tough challenge as she prepares to finally step out of Nicola Adams shadow at a major Games.

The world flyweight silver medallist makes her debut against India’s Pinki Rani needing a win to give her a guaranteed fight for a medal.

Double Olympic champion Adams earned the selection when women’s boxing made its Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow and Whiteside wants to keep the title in English hands.

But Rani is no slouch, winning bronze at the last Games four years ago.

“I know I can win medals at major championships, I’ve nothing to fear,” said East Lancashire’s Whiteside.

“Having that confidence in my abilities will be important, I don’t want to leave here with any regrets.

“My preparations have gone really well and I just want to get going now. It’s tough watching all the other sports start, you’re wound up and just want to get going.

“We’ll look at some video and be ready for our opponent. I prefer to focus on myself, I need to make sure I’m ready.”

Whiteside’s bout is at 9.32am UK time.

Meanwhile, Natalie Haythornthwaite is prepared for a Kiwi backlash ahead of England’s crunch netball clash at the Commonwealth Games.

England maintained their unbeaten record with a comprehensive 85-31 victory over Wales and face the Kiwis at midnight tonight needing a win to avoid favourites Australia in the semi-finals.

New Zealand have never not made the Commonwealth final, winning gold twice and silver on three occasions but suffered a shock defeat at the hands of minnows Malawi.

But Tracey Neville’s side are coming into the Games in hot form, having beaten New Zealand and South Africa in the recent Quad Series - and pushed Australia the distance before a narrow defeat.

And this represents their best chance of reaching the Commonwealth final for the first time, especially with a home World Cup on the horizon.

“Everything is in our hands, we want to win the group and keep the winning momentum going,” Haythornthwaite said.

“We don’t talk about anything other than winning but we know that New Zealand are going to be pumped up to prove a few points.

“Malawi’s win is massive for netball and I know New Zealand will be hurting.

“They will absolutely come out firing against us and we’ll have to play our best netball to stay with them. We beat them in our last game, so that will motivate them too - they won’t want to lose so close to their home.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

npower is the Official Partner of Team England and is giving our athletes the power of support by recording a brand new version of their anthem, Jerusalem. To listen to the track visit npower.com/teamengland