I’m Going to Go for It’ – Christina Desmond Targets Another Historic Win
Christina Desmond has barely had time to take in the biggest night of her professional career with another chance to make history fast approaching.
Fresh from becoming the first woman to win an Irish professional boxing title, the Cork favourite heads to Spain this weekend, where she fights Clara López for the vacant light welterweight European title.
Just weeks ago, the Macroon native was defeated Louise Creaven in a landmark Irish title contest in Cork. Now, with that historic victory secured, she has the opportunity to add a European crown to her growing collection and potentially become Ireland’s first female European professional champion.
It is a remarkable run of events, although for now the former amateur standout is trying to normalize things.
The size of the prize and the chance to make more history will not change her approach.
“I’m not looking at it as a title. It’s another fight. It’s another opponent to get in the ring with, who’s training hard and who’s ready for this fight. And again, coming for the win,” she tells Irish-boxing.com.
“I need to focus on me now. I need to get everything right. I need to come back off this win as best I can, and go again from tomorrow onwards.
“To come home with another belt within two weeks would be absolutely fantastic. And, yeah, in this sport you have to kind of take chances. And I’m going to go for it.”
There may be some concerns with regard to going into such an important fight so quickly after a taxing title fight.
However, the Irish champion has been encouraged by what she produced against Louise Creaven, particularly as the fight progressed.
“I actually felt I was stronger coming into the seventh, eighth and ninth rounds. I just kept doing what I was doing, and he was happy with that.
“I’ve been sparring hard over the last couple of weeks. I really locked in for this fight. I put my head down. I believe I did everything right up until that point.”
That late-round strength could prove important in Spain, where Desmond faces another demanding assignment in her pursuit of the vacant European belt.
Yet there is more to her recent performance than physical preparation. The Cork boxer also believes she is beginning to trust herself more consistently inside the ring, allowing the work done in the gym to translate into performances under pressure.
“Sometimes I don’t believe in myself, and I believe I executed believing in myself 100 per cent in the last fight. I think I’ll take that into this title fight.
“I’ve done the training. I’ve been here for years. I’ve been around the block, and I’ve gotten in the ring with the top fighters in the world at amateur level. I believe I can do that at professional level as well.
“I’m still focused. I have another job to do, and I’ve been just looking forward to getting this opportunity, thanks to my manager Kevin for putting this all in place.
“I kind of stay out of all of the business side of it and I let him do all of that. I’ve just been lucky to get this opportunity, and I’m taking it with both hands. Whatever happens, happens. I just need to focus. I’m going to go for it.”
Photo Credit Jack Walsh
