Christina Desmond comes out on top as history made in Cork boxing match

Christina Desmond is now eyeing European boxing glory after making history in her native Cork on Friday.

Desmond defeated Galway woman Louise Creaven by unanimous decision at the GCU Parochial Arena as the pair became the first women to contest a professional all-Irish title bout.

Southpaw Desmond has made a perfect start to her professional career, with the victory over Creaven extending her unbeaten record to six wins from six fights.

"Very, very happy," Desmond said after the fight. "I'm honoured to share the ring with Louise for this first Irish professional female bout, and to get the win is outstanding.

"I believe I put on a good show. I was strong, I was fit, I believe, until she came at me in the last round. But no, she gave it her all and she kept on coming.

"I hope everybody's happy with my performance. Everybody's put their hard-earned money and time into me and coming to support me. They definitely showed up tonight and thanks very much."

Desmond joined the professional ranks as one of the most decorated amateur boxers in Irish history.

She won 19 Irish national titles, including six at senior elite level, as well as a silver medal at the 2022 European Boxing Championships, and represented Ireland alongside boxing legend Katie Taylor and two-time Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington.

And after the judges scored the fight 99-92, 99-91 and 99-91 in her favour, she thanked the crowd at the GCU Parochial Arena for their support.

"I was actually calm and relaxed coming out because I knew they'd been there from the start, and they didn't care what happened to me tonight once I came out of the ring safe. And that's all I wanted as well.

"That's what we both want as fighters, is for everyone to come out safe and sound. I'm not one of them girls that talks rubbish.

"But yeah, I'm very happy and thanks to everybody."

Desmond can now look forward to a European title fight in Valencia later this month as she looks to follow in the footsteps of Taylor.

The Cork woman, who is a member of An Garda Síochána, is a big fan of Taylor and was delighted to see the Bray woman end her career in style at Croke Park last month.

"For a female athlete and a female boxer to be able to put on a show like that was incredible," said Desmond. "She [Taylor] really set the standards high and she deserved every single bit of it. From start to finish, it was incredible.

"The build-up, the hype and everything and the credit that she got... she finally got what she deserved because I feel she hadn't got what she deserved over the years.

"If a male counterpart had done what she'd done down through the years, they'd have got way more credit, way more publicity and way more sponsorship opportunities so it was just fantastic to see and a nice end to her career."