CHRISTINA Desmond says it would be an ‘absolute dream’ to feature on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s blockbuster farewell fight at Croke Park.

The Cill na Martra boxer has made an instant impact at professional level, racking up five straight wins since her debut last October.

That run has put her in the conversation for a place on what is set to be one of the biggest nights in Irish boxing history on September 5th.

‘I would love to be on that undercard,’ Desmond told the Star Sport Podcast.

‘I boxed with Katie on the Irish amateur team when I was 19 and 20, and I travelled all over the world with her. To have the chance now to fight on her undercard as a professional would be something really special.’

Christina Desmond lands this punch against Johana Rajmont. (Photo: Doug Minihane)

The stars would need to align for Desmond to make it onto the Croke Park bill, but there is also the possibility of adding another historic layer to the night – an all-Irish women’s title fight.

‘There have been talks about an Irish title fight that night,’ she said.

‘Louise Creaven, who is originally from Galway but is boxing out of Australia, is the same weight as me and she has agreed to fight me if we can get everything in place.

‘It would be record-breaking because there has never been an all-female title fight between two Irish boxers. Elaine Harrison and Kelsey Leonard fought on the last JB Promotions card in Dublin, but that wasn’t for a title.

‘If we could get an Irish title on the line in Croke Park, it would be fantastic. And if they want to make a little bit more history on the night, I’d love to be added to the card.’

It is a case of wait and see for Desmond, but regardless of whether she makes the bill, she believes Taylor’s farewell against French fighter Flora Pili at GAA HQ is a fitting send-off for the boxing icon.

‘What Katie has done is absolutely amazing. Boxing is in the Olympics, she’s headlined some of the biggest professional events in the sport, and now she’s headlining in Croke Park. The last person to do that was Muhammad Ali back in 1972, I believe. It’s just out of this world,’ Desmond said.

‘I think people sometimes take for granted what she’s achieved. She’s been an inspiration to everybody.’

Desmond’s own story is just as compelling, and that’s reflected in her own rise through the professional ranks.

A dominant amateur who racked up 19 Irish titles and won medals at World and European level, she stepped away from the ring for a period.

But she’s back with a bang.

Christina Desmond celebrates after winning her first professional welterweight fight against Joanna Fraszczak in October 2015.

Since turning pro, Desmond has beaten five opponents in seven months, the latest a second-round stoppage against Sherie Barnes in Calpe, Spain. The dangerous southpaw is a woman on a mission.

‘The plan was always to stay busy, stay active and get the wins on the board early. I'm very happy with the progress so far. You couldn't really ask for much better than that,’ she says.

‘I’ve boxed all sorts of different opponents and I’m slowly but surely building my career and building my performances as well. Every fight has been better than the last and that’s really all I can ask for.’

There’s a reason Desmond has been so active – the 30-year-old has goals to achieve.

‘More than anything, I’m not getting any younger. I had a bit of a lull between the amateur game and turning professional, and I want to get back into the mix with the top athletes,’ she says.

‘I competed as high as you can go at amateur level. I narrowly missed out on the Olympics and I was boxing world champions, European champions and some of the best fighters out there. To get back to that level in the professional ranks, I need to build my record and build my career as quickly as I can.

‘I’ve absolutely loved it. I started with four two-minute rounds, then went up to six rounds and by my third fight I had done eight rounds. From the start I wanted to be busy and get those championship rounds under my belt. I’m very happy with how that’s gone. I can’t complain.’

The transition from amateur to professional is still ongoing. It’s a new world with a lot of differences: different styles, different techniques and different demands. But Desmond feels she is settling in well, and her results prove that.

Juggling boxing with her day job as a Waterford-based Garda adds another layer of challenge – and respect – to what she is achieving.

'It's difficult, there's no point pretending otherwise. Maintaining weight and cutting weight while working night shifts is tough,’ she explains.

'I work two days and two nights, so that's four days in a row before getting four days off. There's never really any downtime in my life. But I don't think I'd have it any other way. My colleagues are very good to me and where they can, they help me out.

‘It's not easy stepping into the ring against girls who are training full-time, but we'll see where it goes. If I can build up a good enough record and get myself into a world title shot, maybe I'll take a few days off then!’

But she wouldn’t change anything.

'When I was approached about turning professional, I spent a long time thinking about it,’ Desmond explains.

‘I have a full-time job and a full-time career. I could easily have left the gloves hanging up. Boxing is a mad sport. It's physically draining, mentally draining and nobody really sees the hard work that goes on behind it.

'But I haven't regretted coming back once.

'I'm delighted I came back. I'm delighted I still have the chance to inspire young athletes, both female and male, in Cork and around Ireland. If I can inspire one or two people, that's fantastic.

'It's been a rollercoaster, but it's been brilliant. We've made great memories. I've a huge following at home in Cork and in Waterford, and I have a fantastic family and support network around me. We're just enjoying every second of it.'

She has made no secret of her goal to bring a world title back to Cork. She believes in her ability, as do her manager and her team.

'I'm not going to jump the gun, but that's obviously the ultimate goal,’ she says.

‘But as long as I'm enjoying it and I'm happy, I'll keep going. The day that changes is probably the day I'll step away. Right now, though, I'm very happy and I can't wait to see what's next,’ adds Desmond, delighted she took the chance to return to the ring.

'I absolutely love it. I thrive on it. I love boxing right up until about two hours before a fight, and then I hate it again for those two hours. But when your hand gets raised at the end, there's no feeling like it.’

There are more big days to come. Maybe even Croke Park on September 5th.