Dennis Hobson: “We’re plotting a path to take her to the very top again”
Dennis Hobson has heaped praise on Glaswegian Hannah Rankin (pictured alongside trainer, Noel Callan) after her return to winning ways, and says the history-making fighter will be competing for a world title again very soon.
BoxRec's No.3 super-welterweight, Rankin – Scotland’s first ever female pro fighter – secured a wide points victory over America’s Logan Holler on March 10th in Wolverhampton, improving her record to 13-6 (3).
The former IBO and WBA Super Welterweight Champion, 32 from Glasgow, back in the ring after losing her belts in September last year to fellow Brit Terri Harper, showed she’s still a force to be reckoned with by totally dominating the American visitor over 10 rounds, picking up a 100-90 verdict.
Back on the victory trail and after shedding the inactivity, Hobson – who heads up promotional outfit Fight Academy and boxing broadcaster Fightzone, alongside partners Steve Crump and Stephen Vaughan – says the Scottish fighter will soon be in the mix for world honours.
“It was great to have Hannah back out, and seeing her get her glove raised at the end of the fight. I thought it was a very polished performance against a really credible opponent, and you’d never have known she’d been out of the ring for six months.
“There’s huge interest in Hannah. She’s right up there in the rankings, is recognised as one of the world’s best super welterweights and we’re plotting a path to take her to the very top again. Watch this space.”
Also on the Midlands show – which was aired live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website – was local fighter, Kirstie Bavington. ‘Bavvo’ had been on a fantastic run that had seen her pick up the prestigious EBU Welterweight crown last year, but the 30-year-old wasn’t able to maintain her winning streak, coming unstuck on home turf against Canada’s Kandi Wyatt. The pair went at it for the WBA Inter-Continental Title but, after 10 rounds of entertaining action, Kirstie found herself on the wrong end of a split decision.
Topping this Black Country Boxing (BCB) bill, and in front of a raucous crowd, Wolverhampton’s Ricky Summers claimed the English Light Heavyweight Title after beating defending champ, Joel McIntyre. The fight was an entertaining affair and close for plenty of rounds but Summers came on strong down the stretch to eke out a unanimous points verdict. The 35-year-old, who has lost just three of 23 bouts – including a close, split decision reverse to new European champion, Dan Azeez – is a solid fighter and this victory should be the springboard to bigger belts.
“It was a disappointing night for Kirstie,” explained Hobson. “I don’t know if the occasion got to her, fighting in front of her home fans and on the BBC, but she never really got going and took too many shots for me. I think it was just a bad night at the office for her though, she’s still European Champion and this loss just needs to be a learning experience.
“Ricky Summers shows what’s great about boxing. He’s had a really good career but this was probably his last chance at a meaningful title, and he took it with both hands. Credit it to him, this is a hard sport, he’s put the work in and now can look forward to some more big nights of boxing.”
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