Luss boxer Hannah Rankin fired up for world title defence in Glasgow tonight

Luss fighter Hannah Rankin is prepared for a dream homecoming this Friday (May 13) as she prepares to defend her IBO and WBA world titles at a packed Ovo Hydro.

The 31-year-old, who memorably became Scotland’s first female boxing world champion in 2019, will defend her belts against Mexican fighter Alejandra Ayala in front of a huge Scottish crowd in Glasgow.

And she is confident about putting on a show in front of her home fans.

Hannah said: “I cannot wait to be defending my titles in front of a home crowd. It’s a dream come true.

“I’ve often been described as a Scottish Mexican before for my style of fighting, so I’m really excited about it. It’ll make for such a great fight for the fans.

“That gives me a real buzz. They are going to love it.

“Alejandra will bring it. She has quite a lot of experience. It’ll be her first time fighting in Europe though, so obviously it’ll be her first time experiencing a Scottish crowd.

“I wish her luck with that…”

And Hannah can’t wait to hear the noise of a home crowd for the first time since 2019.

She added: “I think the pandemic gave us all a new perspective of what we really appreciated.

“The energy and electricity that people bring to these events is amazing and so exciting. To fight in front of a crowd is such a great feeling.

“People are there to see you and people forget that sport is entertainment. Being able to entertain large numbers of people, hear your pals all chanting for you and stuff. There’s nothing like it.”