The shape I’m in: Christina McMahon

Christina McMahon is Ireland’s newest world boxing champion after winning the WBC World Interim Female Bantamweight earlier this month.

The 40 year old — the only professional woman boxer in Ireland — wasn’t expected to beat her 22-year-old opponent, Catherine Phiri, in Zambia. Phiri had never been defeated up to that point. Being considered the underdog only made Monaghan native Christina more determined.

“I always believed I’d win if I got the opportunity. I knew my training, work and experience would stand to me. Going in [against Phiri], I knew what I was up against — she was as good as I expected. I surprised her — she certainly wasn’t expecting a 40 year old to be so fit.”