Luss fighter Hannah Rankin made history as she claimed the IBO and WBA world super welterweight titles with a unanimous decision victory against veteran Maria Lindberg.
At Tottenham Hotspur’s £1bn stadium, Rankin and Lindberg went toe-to-toe for 10 enthralling and fiercely competitive rounds, with the judges eventually scoring the bout 98-92, 98-92, 97-93.
A close-fought encounter saw little separating the fighters, however Rankin was landing the more eye-catching shots with left hooks and right hands in particular.
The scores looked even until the final rounds when Rankin’s fitness began to show – as she unleashed a strong finale that secured the win.
Having became Scotland’s first-ever female boxing world champion in 2019, Rankin has now reclaimed her IBO world title and added the WBA belt.
Posting on Twitter after the fight, the former Hermitage Academy pupil said: “We did it! And the new WBA and IBO world champion. I’m on cloud nine. A big thank you to my whole team, sponsors and supporters and of course Fightzone TV for giving me the platform to achieve my dreams.”
And Rankin dedicated the success to her coach, Noel Callan.
She added: “To the guy that’s been by my side since the start, supported and pushed me to achieve what he’s known I’m truly capable of and always believed in me. My coach and friend Noel Callan.
“From nothing to something to everything –we did it. World champs!”
