Christina Desmond set to make her professional boxing debut at the National Stadium

One of the great Irish amateur female boxers of all time Christina Desmond is about to test the professional waters when she makes her professional debut against Polish fighter Joanna Frasczal on the JB Promotions event at the National Stadium on October 10th.

Frasczal is also new to the professional ranks and made her debut when she stopped Czech Republic fighter Drahoslava Zelinkova in the first round last May, so Desmond needs to be wary when they clash in a four round contest.

After having a stellar amateur career where she collected 19 Irish titles across various grades and levels, representing her country with distinction, winning medals at world and European levels, Christina is now about to embark on a new boxing journey. 

Desmond also has the honour of being the only woman selected as the Echo Women in Sport Supreme Sports star of the Year twice, which is due recognition of all her success in the ring.

The 29 year-old southpaw, who is also a member of An Garda Síochána, now fights out of Dungarvan Boxing Club and she has to juggle a busy work schedule along with her stringent training regime.

Desmond was considering going professional back in 2021, but returned to the amateur ranks for a Paris Olympics, however, she has now finally made the move and becomes a very interesting member of the paid ranks.

“I am looking forward to my first professional fight in Dublin, as it will be exciting and a whole new experience for me,” Christina said.

“I will have good support in Dublin as there is a good crowd coming up to see me make my professional debut.

“I grew up in the countryside in a small village called Cill na Martra, near Macroom in Cork. 

"I had a very normal and relaxed upbringing as my parents Helen and Christoir were hard working and did all they could for us. 

"We were farmers and spent most of our time on the farm with my twin brother Micheal and sisters Louise and Rachel."

Desmond found boxing when she was 11 years-old when she started to follow her brother Micheal to the Macroom Boxing Club.

Women’s boxing was not common back then, so she was mainly just training with all the boys at the club. 

In 2009, Desmond entered her first Irish championship at the age of 13 and went on to win her very first national title. 

From starting with her local club Macroom before moving on to have great success with Fr Horgan’s, she then went on represent Ireland for the first time in 2013 at the Youth and Junior European championships.

Desmond has had over one hundred amateur fights, however, one specific moment stands out.

“Winning my silver medal two years ago in the European championships was a special moment for me, as I was the underdog and working full time as a Garda doing shift work. 

"I eventually lost to a world champion on a split decision, but I fought very hard for that medal.

”I decided to go professional because I am not getting any younger and was getting a bit disillusioned with the amateur game, as I was getting very little reward for the hard work I was putting in. 

"Then my trainer Tom Power, who has been in my corner for most of my life, suggested to me that I should try the professional game and to be honest, I didn’t need much convincing as I needed the change.

“My manager is Kevin Crowley, who is from Carrigtwohill, however I don’t have a promoter yet, but I hope to have one in the near future.

“My plan is at the moment is to keep busy and have maybe a fight every three or four months and when I have six fights behind me I will make a decision on whether is this the right journey for me,” Desmond added.