Hannah Rankin Wanted the November 17th Championship Challenge, is Ready to Bring Three More Belts Back to Scotland

After her good friend and camp sparring partner Christina Hammer was forced to withdraw from her November 17th Championship bout due to an illness, Scotland’s WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Hannah Rankin (5-2, 1 KO) was eager to take the spot against highly regarded American champion Claressa Shields (6-0, 2 KOs).

WBA and IBF Middleweight Champion Shields already threw the challenge out there months ago when she did not agree with Rankin’s constructive criticism on social media.

Now the opportunity presented itself, to let the fisticuffs do the talking come Saturday night on DAZN app as part of Matchroom Boxing’s show at the Kansas Star Arena, Mulvane, Kansas. Shield’s WBA and IBF Middleweight belts are on the line as well as the vacant WBC title.

Through numerous camps in her young professional career, Rankin has been putting in the work like a true champion. Sparring has been vigorous, with previous sparring partners such as WBC/WBO Champ Christina Hammer, IBO Champ Ivana Habazin, WBC Challenger Maria Lindberg, former WBC Champ Klara Svensson, IBO Champ Chantelle Cameron, IBF Champ Chris Namus, Up and Comers Savannah Marshall, Elin Cederroos and more. She also spent time in Russia, helping P4P #1 and unified Welterweight Champion Cecilia Brækhus prepare for her successful July defense against Inna Sagaydakovskaya.

This camp was just as intense with the inclusion of her good friends current IBO Super Welterweight Champion Mikaela Lauren, WBO Super Featherweight Champion Ewa Brodnicka, along with Commonwealth Gold Medalist and Team Great Britain member Sandy Ryan, former amateur world champion Roseanna Cox, and former southern area champ Rakeem Noble.

This will be her second world title challenge since winning the WBC Silver Middleweight Championship over previously unbeaten Sanna Turunen in June. Rankin clearly dominated the 10-Round affair with Turunen.

In August, she ventured across the pond for the first time to accept the challenge of WBA Super Middleweight Champion Alicia Napoleon. Unfortunately, she came up short. But it was not a match in her true 154 (or crowned 160) weight division.

Nonetheless, Rankin’s two career losses have not deterred her. She keeps going strong and is clearly not afraid of anyone.

Challenging the self-proclaimed GWOAT brings added media pressures and social criticism interaction. Rankin stated, “US press and everyone is treating myself and team really well.”

Recently, Shields has been talking of future plans. She has a tenancy of talking past the challenge in front of her.

Rankin commented on Shield’s plan, “If they have over looked me then it will be a shock on Saturday night when her prediction of knocking me out in 4 rounds fails. I’m happy, fit, and ready to go 👍🏻”

Shield’s biggest assets – unquestionable speed, aggression, and stamina.

The challenger cited, “We’ve been working on things to counteract this and I look forward to seeing how her stamina stands up to mine!”

Knockout with 4 rounds? I hardly believe that will occur. The power is still questionable since Shields has not put anyone to the canvas yet in 6 pro bouts.

You cannot judge Rankin based on her last outing. She is not big enough for 168. Her grit and her perseverance keeps her at the top of the ranks.

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Promoter:
Kynoch Boxing Promotions