Hannah Rankin is taking the sweet science to a whole new level after allowing world-leading research to be a part of her training camp.
She’s been getting ready for when BCB Promotions return to the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, for fight night on Friday March 10. The show will be broadcast live on Fightzone with Rankin’s bout against Logan Holler also being shown on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport App & Website. Find out more at fightzone.uk.
Scot Rankin is travelling down from north of the border to compete, having been put under scrutiny during her preparations at Abertay University, in Dundee.
‘Hannah the Banger’ lives in Glasgow, having grew up in the tiny village of Luss. The 32-year-old, trained by Noel Callan, is a two-time former world champion.
Rankin claimed world honours at the third attempt, having come up short, on points, for global prizes at super middle and middleweight.
Alicia Napoleon and Clarissa Shields prevailed, respectively, on those occasions, to see that she couldn’t grab WBA (both weights), WBC and IBO titles.
Rankin would redress the balance by claiming the IBO strap at super welter, outpointing Sarah Curran, but would relinquish that standing to Patricia Berghult, by the same verdict.
Going back to middleweight saw Rankin go for the WBO belt, but Savannah Marshall become a world champion, at her expense over-the-distance, instead.
Rankin would come again, going back to super welter to beat Maria Lindberg, picking up the vacant IBO and WBA titles in the process.
She made one successful defence, stopping Alejandra Ayala in the 10th and final round, before dropping the belts to Terri Harper, on points, in September of last year.
Rankin, whose pro record stands at 12-6-0, is now plotting a path back towards becoming a world champion again, which starts against durable American Logan Holler.
She said: “It’s been my first training camp in Dundee. Adam (Usher) is a sports scientist at Abertay University, who are doing research into combat performance for females.
“Me, my sparring partners and a few other fighters have got involved. ‘Bavvo’ (Kirstie Bavington, European welterweight champion) has been here as well.
“I couldn’t see myself ever fighting ‘Bavvo,’ we’re too good friends, but it’s nice to know that we are both playing our part in women’s boxing picking up a bit of traction.
“I’m planning to stay at super welter, anyway, and get a third world title. I’m really proud of what I’ve done, but I want to go for more.
“I’d love to rematch (Terri) Harper. I wasn’t myself, against her, and I picked up a serious cut, which hampered my vision. It was so early on (second round), as well.
“Natasha Jonas (IBF, WBO and WBC world title holder) is another one that I’d definitely go for. It’s just manuovering myself into the right position.
“I’m still ranked in the top five of all the world’s governing bodies, so I know that my chance will come again and I’ve every confidence that I’ll take it.
“I’ve boxed on different platforms, all over the world, so coming to Wolverhampton won’t bother me! I’m just looking forward to my comeback fight.
“I’m coming back in at a championship distance and, as a former world champion, I only want quality opponents. I’m not interested in an easy night’s work.”
Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
The weigh-in takes place at the Hangar, Pearson Street, Wolverhampton at 1pm on Thursday. All welcome.
