Doina Costin prepared for a hard fight against Gabriele Strikaityte for Midlands Area title

Doina Costin faces another unbeaten opponent in Midlands Area championship challenge

Doina Costin is determined it will be second time's a charm when she faces Gabriele Strikaityte for the vacant Midlands Area Super Bantamweight title Saturday night at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

The 32-year-old from Northampton was beaten by Sian O'Toole in her first crack at an area belt in July and has dropped down to face the unbeaten Lithuanian in a fascinating matchup that will crown the first-ever champion in that weight class in the female division.

“I don't know much about her other than I know she is shorter than me, which is to my advantage," said Costin. "I can use my range, and also my experience helps a lot. When you have done ten rounds before, you know what can happen and what you need to do; that's something I have and can use for this fight. Compared to my last title fight against Sian, I didn't have that experience; I had nothing to compare to. I just had to adapt.”

After that points loss to O'Toole in July, Costin bounced back with a comfortable points win against Alisha Lewis over four rounds in Wolverhampton. Inactivity had been an issue earlier in her career, but now with her third fight in just over five months, Costin is feeling in a great place.

“It was good, just the four rounds, so it did feel rushed a little bit going from ten back down to the four; when you only have eight minutes, you have to win every round, and it can go by very quickly. I won the fight and won every round, and whereas before I have had long gaps between fights to get out, so getting out so soon after that fight is important for me.”

A relentless trainer, Costin has now linked up with coach and former world title challenger Esham Pickering at Epic Golden Gloves in Newark, and it's been a good fight for the Moldovan-born talent.

“Everything has gone great. I have been training since September. I only had two or three days off, and then I was straight back in camp, and working with Esham has been really good for me. I think it will be different boxing at super bantamweight instead of up at featherweight; everyone in that division is so much bigger than me, and this time I will be the bigger one, the taller one. It will definitely suit me.”

With just sixteen registered female boxers at super bantamweight, the major title opportunities could come much sooner than in the equivalent male division. It can be a daunting prospect for some to move so quickly, but it's a challenge Costin embraces.

“You can't just focus on one fight at a time; you always have to be looking ahead to achieve more and reach for greatness. In the women's sport you don't get the ten or fifteen fights to build; the chances come much quicker, and you have to be ready for them. Saturday I'm going to leave with the belt round my waist and prove myself. I'm not expecting an easy fight; she's coming to win, but so am I.”

The rest of the card for BCB Promotions' 19th show of the year sees Zoe Newton make her professional debut, unbeaten trio Jamie Edwards, Ben Andrews, and Ethan Rutter are all in action, alongside the popular Dylan Cheema.

Final remaining tickets are available now, priced at £45 for general admission and £85 for VIP, from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com