Luss world champion Hannah Rankin aims to inspire more girls into boxing

Hannah Rankin hopes that her homecoming world title defence can inspire more girls to get involved with boxing.

The Luss born fighter, 31, retained her IBO and WBA super welterweight titles with a dominant victory against Mexican Alejandra Ayala at a packed Hydro last month.

She said: “It was an amazing night.

“I have to say a huge thank you to all of the fans. To headline the Hydro and have such a massive array of people from all different backgrounds coming to support me was just incredible.

“It was incredible to be involved in something like that.

“I’m really hoping that young girls will now see that there is a pathway there.

“When I was growing up there weren’t many strong female role models in boxing.

“Part of being a world champion is that you should represent your sport and represent yourself and promote the sport.”

Hannah has already had a huge influence on Irvine twins Kay-Lee and Leigha Barnes, both world record holders in boxing drills, who came home early from a dream holiday to carry her flag into the ring at the Hydro.

“The twins Kay-Lee and Leigha are absolutely boxing mad,” she said.

“They told their mum they had to come home early from Disneyland to carry my flag out.

“I don’t know any kid who would want to come home early from Disney to carry a flag out at a boxing match, but nothing was going to stop them!”

Hannah’s immediate thoughts following the fight were with Ayala however, after she required emergency surgery for injuries sustained during the bout.

And she thanked her team and medics for their support of her brave opponent, who is still recovering in a Glasgow hospital.

Hannah added: “My promotional company, Dennis Hobson Promotions, and Sam Kynoch have been in close contact with Alejandra and