“I was always coming back” – Christina Desmond ready to rule again

Christina Desmond returned to the top of Irish boxing on Saturday night and doesn’t intend to let go.

Following a year out, the Cork talent added a third Elite Senior title – and a first won in the ring – when she defeated reigning champ Grainne Walsh to claim the welterweight crown.

A knee injury and personal reasons saw Desmond press the pause button on her career in 2018 but she pledges that she is back for good and eager for more international action.

First though, the Fr Horgan’s 22-year-old needed to dethrone Walsh and duly did in one of the contests of the night at the National Stadium.

Now back down at welter, Desmond looked strong and landed big southpaw lefts early on before going toe-to-toe in a memorable final round – eventually winning on a 3-2 split.

Afterwards Desmond told Irish-Boxing.com that “it was a great fight, she’s a fantastic fighter. I didn’t know what way it was going to go, I didn’t know what their tactics were going to be.”

“I felt my backhand was working well, my hook didn’t even come off that well and I’d say they were waiting for that. I feel what won me the fight was going forward and it paid off so I’m very happy.”

“I feel very strong, I was able to push. When she came forward I was able to push. I had it in the tank, the last round was edgy enough, I could feel it, my heart was going, I didn’t know where I was.”

The Cill na Martra boxer, a bronze medallist at both the European and World University Championships in 2016, isn’t looking too far ahead but hints at a big year – with European Games, European Championships, and World Championships on the horizon, as well as the prospect of the Tokyo Olympics.

Desmond outlined how “I haven’t even thought about it, this was the first step. Getting back in the ring was my first big thing. I’ll sit down with my coaches, Tom Power and Mickey Power, they’re unbelievable, and my family, they’re fantastic.”

“I’m fully back, I’m ready. I took my time, got what I needed to do done. I’m free from injury and I’m ready to go back on the road, wherever they want to send me.”

“I was always coming back, I just needed time, I got my head straight and that, for a boxer, is the main thing to have.”

“I dedicate this whole thing to my dad, he didn’t push me back into it but he certainly got me back into it, got my head straight, he’s a rock.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)