HANNAH RANKIN may be on the verge of making Scottish boxing history this evening but she remains entirely unfazed by the prospect.
The 27-year-old, who is also a trained classical musician, will face Finland’s Sanna Turunen on MTK Scotland’s show in Paisley for the WBC Silver Middleweight title becoming, in the process, the first female Scottish boxer to fight for a WBC international title.
It is quite a feat for anyone, but even more so considering that this is only Rankin’s sixth professional bout with the fighter, who originally hails from Luss near Loch Lomond, having only made her professional debut just over a year ago.
But while Rankin acknowledges that her progress through the ranks has been remarkably fast, she is not hugely surprised that she has managed to reach the stage of fighting for title quite so early in her pro career.
“I didn’t really expect my progress to be quite this quick but me and my team have worked really hard and put in a lot of hard graft,” she said.
“Goals and aspirations are a really good thing to have and things seem to be going really well so far. All boxers want a green belt so this is a great opportunity. I can’t really put into words how much I’m looking forward to it.”
This evening’s show is shaping up to be quite an evening of boxing. Also on the card is Craig MacIntyre, who fights Welshman Henry Janes for the Celtic super-lightweight title, as well as Jay Carrigan-McFarlane going up against Ratu Latianara for the Scottish cruiserweight title.
But Rankin’s preparation has not been as smooth as she would have liked. Initially, she was due to be facing Katia Alvarino but a late problem with the Urugyian’s medical saw her withdraw and has also forced the Scot to move up a weight class in order to secure this fight with Turunen, who is unbeaten in her five pro fights to date.
Rankin admits that the withdrawal of Alvarino was a blow, but having had a Commonwealth title fight fall through earlier this year, she is just glad to be stepping into the ring with a belt on the line – and is prepared to go all ten rounds if required.
“When I found out about the change, I was absolutely gutted,” she admits.
“This is one of the most frustrating things about boxing - nothing is set in stone until you’re in the ring on the night.But I think this will be a really good match-up too and it’s great it’s been sanctioned for a belt. I’m super-fit so even if we go the full distance, I’m ready.”
Rankin will have to be at her best to secure the win this evening but she is confident of the shape she is in, and is driven by the platform winning this belt would give her.
“Having this title would put me into the top ten and would give me opportunities to fight for world titles, which is where I want to be so it’s full steam ahead to win this title now,” she said.
“I think that the opportunities will really open up for me when I win this. There’s a lot of girls over in the States that I’d love to fight and so hopefully winning this title will open up some of those opportunities for me. So it’s definitely an exciting time.”
Rankin may be heading for the top at a remarkable pace but she admits that she is still constantly learning. Her experience as a musician – she attended London’s Royal Academy of Music and has performed all across Europe, from London to St Petersburg – ensures that the pressure of being of a crowd does not daunt her but she is constantly learning new aspects about the fighting trade.
“For me, it hasn’t been about learning to deal with the pressure I get from the crowd because that’s something that I’ve been used to from being a musician,” she said
It’s little things that I’m still learning about. Every fighter you go up against has a different skill-set so it’s about learning to deal with different problems and challenges in the ring.
“And I’ve learnt how to prepare and deal with disappointment too – in boxing, it’s not over until it’s over.”
Rankin’s duel life as a musician and pro boxer might be hugely contrasting, as well as ensuring she has little spare time, but as tough as having two careers can be, it is, she insists, the perfect fit.
“As well as everything, I also feel like a promoter and a manager at the same time,” she said.
“It’s hectic and there’s a lot of stress but I’m loving it. I thrive when I’m under pressure so this lifestyle suits me.”
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