No time to savour her Irish title success, Christina Desmond is back in action looking to win a European title

Cork’s professional boxer and Irish Lightweight Champion Christina Desmond will take on Clara Lopez at the Campeonato De REuropa Stadium in her home town of Sagurt Valencia Spain for the EBUSuper Lightweight European title than is scheduled for ten rounds next Saturday night.

Desmond is fresh off a unanimous points decision against Galway and Australian based Louise Creaven at a Siam Warriors Event at the GCU Parochial Arena two weeks ago where she made history by winning the very first BUI women’s professional title.

Although it is only two weeks from that victory, that was the perfect preparation for her, as Galway woman gave Desmond some difficult moments, however, she showed all her experience and boxing IQ to win the title and more importantly she got ten good rounds under her belt.

There is an old saying, behind a successful man is a great woman, however, the role is reversed in this occasion, as Kevin Crowley who is Demond’s manager and trainer is one of the driving force’s behind her amazing career to date. 

Kevin has been working overtime in the last year to get Christina her six fights in her fist year as a professional boxer and they can both look back with satisfaction if she brings the European belt back to Cork next weekend.

“I worked hard with the European Boxing Union to get Christina ranked in the 140lbs division and get her in line for this title,” Kevin said.

“We knew this was on the line when we took the Irish title fight and could not afford to loose that fight, so there was a lot on the line for Christina in Cork two weeks ago, however, she got the job done and we are so proud of her.

“I started managing pro fighters in 2012 and I've had fighters box in some big arenas including one of the world’s biggest stages in Madison Square Gardens in New York on three occasions.

“One of the fighters I managed was Noely Murphy, who was also trained by Christina’s long time trainer Tom Power and that’s where the connection was made with Christina when she decided to turn pro."

Crowley is the perfect man to drive Desmond’s career as he has excellent knowledge and contacts. 

He is the person who works behind the scenes, working with promoters to get her on different cards, however, more importantly working with her sponsor’s to keep the show on the road.

“My role as manager is to use my knowledge and connections to organize fights for Christina also work with sponsors and promoters to get her on these shows. 

"While doing that I am guiding her career and getting her up the world rankings and eventually get the biggest opportunities we can for her.

“It has been a great year and the highlight has to be Christina winning the very first professional female Irish title in her hometown in front of a brilliant crowd at Siam Warriors show in the GCU Parochial Arena two weeks ago."

However, Kevin is keeping Christina grounded as this is the biggest fight of her career to date, so they can’t get too far ahead of themselves. 

They proved this two weeks ago when she fought for the Irish title, they just focused on that fight although they knew this fight was only around the corner. 

And on that night Desmond looked so focused on her job in hand to get the job done against a very tough opponent.

“We can’t look beyond the next fight, but as manager I have to stay a few steps ahead so all going well in Spain Christina will have some big nights in 2027. 

"Our aim is for a World title shot, but for now our eyes are totally on Spanish native Clara Lopez for the EBU title and bring that belt back to Leeside.

“There’s a lot of people to thank and I’m sure to leave out names so I would just say a massive thanks to everyone who supported Christina in her fights so far. 

"We know that they are best fans in the world and it’s very important to have a good following if we are to bring a big fight back to Cork.

“We all really appreciate all the support from all her family, friends, supporters, boxing coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, sponsors, promoters, reporters, media outlets, and loads others so we want to thank you all and we will do our best to bring some more big nights back to Cork,” Crowley added.