Monaghan's Christina McMahon could become Ireland's first professional women's boxing world champion in 18 years if she defeats Alicia Ashley for the vacant WBC super-bantamweight title in Brooklyn tonight.

McMahon (41) only took up pro boxing aged 35 after a world-championship winning kick-boxing career and is one of only two licensed female professionals in Ireland - the other being Lynn Harvey.

Ireland's sole previous title holder was Deirdre Gogarty, who won the IBF featherweight title in New Orleans in 1997.

McMahon, who is undefeated in seven professional contests, was named interim WBC bantamweight champion following a dominant display against Zambian Catherine Phiri in Lusaka in May.

She has moved up in the weights to face Ashley, a 48-year-old Jamaican with a record of 22 wins, ten defeats and one draw, for the vacant super-bantamweight belt.

Recently crowned world amateur bantamweight champion Michael Conlan told The Irish Sun that he hoped McMahon could join himself, Joe Ward and pros Andy Lee and Carl Frampton as world title holders.

“I hope she goes out there and makes it No 5 for Ireland, her town Carrickmacross and her family," he said.

“I know Christina, she's a hard worker and she's done it the hard way so far, so I hope she can do the business.”