Hertfordshire's newly crowned IBO inter-continental super flyweight champion Lauren Parker is aiming to ride the crest of a wave as her career and women's boxing hits new heights.

In claiming her first professional title, by defeating Mexican Edna Maltos with a unanimous points victory at the Magna Centre Rotherham earlier in the month, the 31-year-old from Letchworth is now showing she can perform at the highest level.

"If I get the opportunity to go for a world title, which could only be two fights away, I'd absolutely lap it up as that's what we're aiming for and hopefully it would be on a big show," said the former pupil of The Knights Templar School in Baldock.

"I started on this journey 12 years ago and it means so much. I was shy and had confidence issues growing up and I feel that I have grown as a person and gone through so many steps and achievements to get to this point.

"You can look at such a big goal and it's a dream so to actually achieve it is something so special.

"Hopefully it can inspire others."

The Comet:

The ex-Stevenage Boxing Club fighter added: "Winning the IBO title is starting to sink in.

"I've been showing the belt off to pretty much everyone but when I go back to training it will really sink in as I'll be more confident and have more drive behind me as I strive for bigger and better things."

Parker's success marked two belts in two weeks for the 666 Gym in Dunmow, Essex, where she now trains with coach Paul Webber.

Webber's son, William, was also crowned southern area super-middleweight champion.

Parker, who is managed by Steve Goodwin and promoted by Unified Promotions, is fully aware her first title triumph has landed at a time when women's boxing is coming to the fore.

She said: "When I started out there weren't many people I knew that were professional.

"Over the years that has grown and some good amateurs have turned pro.

"The big wow moment for the sport was when Katie Taylor boxed Amanda Serrano as they headlined Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

"We have now just seen Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall top an all-female card which sold out the O2 Arena with 20,000 people.

"It is quite something for what was a male dominated sport for women to come through and put their talents on the line and for the public to really start paying an interest, it's opening peoples' eyes to it."

Parker was part of the BBC 5 Live commentary team for that huge event, but hopes she'll be in the ring on a show of that magnitude in the future.

"Hopefully going forward it will inspire more shows and it was good to be there, I loved it," she said.

"It would be amazing to be part of something like that in the future, I don't think I'm too far off."

Parker works as a boxing coach and personal trainer with information about classes, as well as sponsorship opportunities, available on her website www.laurenparker.co.uk

You can follow Parker's journey to a world title on Instagram @laurenparkerboxer.