Savannah Marshall and others predict the outcome of Hannah Rankin vs Maria Lindberg unified title fight
Hannah Rankin and Maria Lindberg head up a huge night of world championship boxing on Friday November 5 when they clash for the IBO and WBA World Super Welterweight Titles, live on Fightzone.
Scotland’s Rankin and Swede Lindberg, 19-7-2 (10), are both former world champions. Rankin, 10-5 (2), previously held the IBO belt, with Lindberg a former holder of the IBF version.
This is a pivotal moment in the careers of both women – the winner will eye up future unification bouts, while whoever comes off second best could face a long road back to the top.
Ahead of their contest at Tottenham Hotspur FC’s Banqueting Hall, some key figures from the sport have given their predictions on who they see coming out on top.
Savannah Marshall
(The ‘Silent Assassin is the undefeated WBO World Middleweight and has previously beaten both Hannah and Maria with stoppage victories): ‘I predict Maria Lindberg wins by KO in round five!’
Peter Fury
(Trainer of top heavyweight Hughie Fury, Savannah Marshall and former trainer of Tyson Fury): ‘I think Hannah Rankin will come through. I believe Maria is now in her twilight years as far as boxing goes but it’s not just that, Hannah is tough. She’s got a lot of heart, she trains hard and she’s improving as well. So I see Hannah coming away with a convincing win.
‘They both lost to Savannah, who is elite and probably the number one boxer on the planet. She hits phenomenally hard, so it’s no disgrace to lose to Savannah Marshall. You can’t really gauge anything on their losses [to Savannah], but looking at both fighters, Hannah has talent, sheer willpower and she’s younger and hungrier and I just think she’ll come through with flying colours.’
Barry Jones
(Former WBO World Super Featherweight king, turned top commentator and analyst): ‘I think this might be the fight where Hannah finally gets over the line and takes a more recognised world championship. The first thought is that Lindberg is a former world champion and being strong and the bigger puncher, will find a way to win.
‘But when you digest current performances, I feel that the timing suits Rankin. She’s fresher, has a great chin and will be the bigger fighter on the night. But she has to make sure her jab is sharp and solid to stop Lindberg from closing the gap. So if Rankin can get that right, I pick her to win by either a decent points margin or by wearing down Lindberg late in the fight.’
Gary Jacobs
(Scotland’s former European Welterweight Champion and world title challenger): ‘There is only one winner in my eyes – it’s Hannah to win for me. She has served her apprenticeship at the higher weight. Now, this is at the right weight for her, I think she’ll win on points.’
Fight Academy present an evening of boxing at Tottenham Hotspur FC’s Banqueting Hall on November 5. Topping the bill will be Scotland’s Hannah Rankin versus Sweden’s Maria Lindberg for the IBO and WBA Super Welterweight Titles. Chief support sees Sheffield’s Sufi Ahmed and Manchester’s Michael Gomez Jr clash for the Central Area Super Featherweight Title.
Also appearing will be Enrique Alvarez from Texas; Lily Ella and David Jamieson from Glasgow; London’s Nathan Mizon , Portsmouth’s Ellis Booth and Norwich’s Stevi Levy.
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