Hannah is left wanting more of that Hydro energy
Hannah Rankin wants to make the Hydro her home after becoming a history-maker there on Friday night.
The Luss battler became the first female boxer to headline Scotland’s biggest indoor arena when she stopped Alejandra Ayala in the final round of their superwelterweight clash.
Rankin, who retained her IBO and WBA belts, now has her sights set on a Battle of Britain clash with Liverpool veteran Natasha Jonas, who holds the WBO strap.
And the 31 year-old is hoping she can persuade her opponent to travel north to Glasgow.
She said: “I want to make the Hydro my home as any Scottish boxer would. It’s a fantastic arena and a brilliant place to box.
“I don’t want that to be a one-off at the Hydro. The energy you get from that is absolutely incredible.
“I’m still a bit overwhelmed at making history for my country. I have to give a massive thanks to my team around me because this is only possible because of them.
“They took this leap of faith and put me on at the Hydro, the Scottish people got behind me and I’m so proud about that.
“The super-welterweight division is really exciting at the moment. A lot of great names in there. I’ve got two of the belts and want all five of them. That’s my long-term goal.
“The Jonas fight is a great fight potentially. Two British boxers, in the same division, Scotland vs England – everyone likes that fight. It would be really great for women’s boxing.”
Rankin didn’t get it all her own way against Ayala. The Mexican was a gutsy competitor who swung away in the first half of the fight before tiring.
She still managed to hand Rankin a bloody nose and a shiner on her cheek and the Scot admitted it had been a gruelling contest before the referee stopped it halfway through the final round.
She added: “I’ve had some amazing sparring for this fight: tall, short, pressure fighters, people on the back foot, every single thing to prepare me for fighting a dangerous Mexican opponent.
“I had to be ready for any eventuality and it was very satisfying when I worked out what I had to do. I got a knock on the face from a head clash. She gave me a bit of a whack and I thought, ‘I’m going to feel that one tomorrow.’
“I was a bit annoyed, I’m not going to lie. She was making out like it was my fault but she came in with her head. But I zoned in at that point and knew it was just a matter of time.
“Getting a stoppage like that in the Hydro. What more can you ask for?”