She is the most decorated Irish female amateur boxer to turn professional since her former teammate Katie Taylor
Christina Desmond (Image: ©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic)
Highly decorated amateur Christina Desmond has world title ambitions as she prepares to make her professional debut this weekend.
The Cork native, 29, switches to the pro ranks having won nineteen National Irish titles, including six at senior elite level, as well as a silver medal at the 2022 European Boxing Championships. She is the most decorated Irish female amateur to turn professional since her former teammate Katie Taylor.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to turn professional and make my debut here at the National Stadium,” said Desmond, a serving garda, who faces 1-0 Polish fighter Joanna Fraszczak in a welterweight bout scheduled for four rounds.
“I’ve been boxing in the National Stadium for about 15 years now. Hopefully my career will move promptly from here. There came a time in my career that I wanted to turn pro and here I am.”
She added: “I wouldn’t be too much of a cocky person, but the goal is to be world champion and hopefully this is the start of it. I feel like I’ve never been as strong or as fit and I hope that I put on that kind of a show on Friday night and show the world what I am like.
“My amateur career I did well, I could have done better, but I feel like this is just the start of it and I look forward to where it will take me.”
Christina Desmond taking a selfie with Michaela Walsh, Kellie Harrington, Katie Taylor, Grainne Walsh and Ceire Smith in 2016(Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)
Sarah Murphy, 18, also makes her professional debut on Friday’s JB Promotions show, facing the 0-16 Kerry Orton of England in a welterweight bout also scheduled for four rounds.
Meanwhile, fellow Co Kildare fighter Kelsey Leonard is having her second pro bout after beating Kira Carter with a second round KO on debut in Belfast two months ago.
“I’m really excited to be on such an unbelievable card, especially alongside two other female fights.” said Leonard, who faces Hungarian Zsanett Milak, also 1-0, in a featherweight contest. “It’s great to be a part of it. It’s a huge night for Irish boxing.
She added: “I’ve fought in this stadium I don’t know how many times. I won all eight of my Irish titles here so it will be familiar.
“I think it will be a different environment because it’s obviously a pro show, but I think I’ll be a bit more comfortable because it is closer to home.
“I’m not putting any pressure on myself, but it’s a good step up. We both have undefeated records so I think it is going to be a tough challenge but I’m confident in myself that I’m going to put on a good performance.”