Luss boxing star Hannah Rankin will take on two time World Champion Ema Kozin for the WBC Silver Super Welterweight title later this year.
Hannah’s first fight of the year ended in a dominant points victory against American Logan Holler on March 10, with the former Hermitage Academy pupil saying that she felt back to her best.
And now Hannah has the opportunity to take the next step towards regaining the IBO and WBA belts she lost to Terri Harper last year, as she faces Slovenian former WBF and WIBA champion Ema Kozin.
The bout will also act as a WBC and WBA Final Eliminator.
Kozin goes into the fight on the back of her first defeat in 23 outings, against American star Claressa Shields.
Reflecting on the victory against Holler, Rankin told the Lennox: “I really feel like I performed well. I don’t normally blow my own trumpet, but I was pleased with my performance. I felt far more like my normal self.
“I really enjoyed the fight, it was a great night and I got to showcase a bit more of me. That’s something I had been hoping for.
“Credit to Logan for coming over from America. We put on a great show for everyone, especially given it was live on the BBC.
“My recovery in the corner is improved, and all the work we’ve been doing with Abertay University has massively paid off. It played a huge part in the fight and has made me confident that I can take myself to the next level.
“I’m very pleased with how it all came together. We’ll continue working with them and hopefully my next camp will be back up in Dundee too.”
Hannah’s bout was broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, something she believes is vital in making boxing accessible to all.
She continued: “I want people to be able to watch my fights on platforms like the BBC. It’s something I’ve been working really hard towards.
“A lot of boxers come from backgrounds that aren’t that well off, and I think that it opens it up to so many people being able to tune in for free, without having to put in their details and sign up to a platform.
“BBC iPlayer is fantastic for making the sport more accessible to more people.
“I had my cousin’s wedding a week after, and a lot of people were saying they’d watched my fight but wouldn’t have done normally if it was behind a paywall. I was really pleased to hear that.”
And Hannah believes she is now firmly on track to becoming a world champion for the third time, having lost her IBO and WBA belts to Terri Harper last October.
The 32-year-old added: “Logan was ranked in the top 10, and that was really important to me. I wanted to come back against a top ranked opponent.
“Logan and I had spoken about fighting before the pandemic, but it never happened. I knew it would be a great fight to watch, but I also know that’s where I belong.
“I’m on the track back to becoming a world champion. I’m fully focused on bringing another title back to Scotland."
