Boxer Hannah Rankin 'can't wait' for world title defence in Scotland at Glasgow's Hydro

Hannah Rankin has said she is super excited to defend her world title belts for the first time in front of home fans in Glasgow.

Rankin will put her WBA and IBO super welterweight titles on the line when she takes on Mexican Alejandra Ayala at the Hydro on Friday, May 13.

The fight was originally scheduled to take place at the Braehead Arena in April, but promoters say due to high ticket demand it had to be moved to the Hydro.

Rankin told STV: ‘‘I’m super excited. It’s an amazing opportunity to be fighting at the Hydro. It’s a sensational venue, one of the top ones in Scotland, I cannot wait.

“Coming home as Scotland’s first female world champion and getting my first title defence in front of a home crowd, to get the chance to showcase my skills to Scottish fans is really special to me.

“I was at the Hydro for Josh Taylor’s fight [against Jack Catterall].

“I felt the atmosphere was totally electric. I was saying then, I would love the opportunity to one day fight here and now it’s going to happen.”

Rankin will headline the night with a number of fights on the undercard.

She added: ‘’It’s a huge step forward for women’s boxing, especially women’s boxing in Scotland.

“To have a woman headlining a card – there’s some amazing Scottish talent – it’s a real privilege to be headlining that card and I’m pleased to be giving an opportunity to all the guys as well.”

If she successfully defends her belts, then a unification fight at super welterweight could be on the horizon.

‘’Of course unification is on my mind. One of my goals is to unify the division,” Rankin said.

“It may sound like a big goal, but it’s something I’ve got on my mind.

“There are lots of exciting boxers in the super welterweight division.’’