Rankin reels on the end of a Savannah stroll
HANNAH RANKIN’S bid to win the vacant WBO Women’s middleweight crown ended in failure last night as she was comprehensively outgunned by bitter rival Savannah Marshall.
The pair had been embroiled in an unseemly war of words ahead of the bout but the Engliswoman made her gloves do the talking as she eased to a seventh-round stoppage.
England’s Marshall offered eye-catching variety and wonderfully crafted shots on her way to a dominant success.
The 29-year-old’s ferocious attack in the seventh forced Rankin to take a knee and the bout to be stopped.
‘I’m over the moon,’ Hartlepool’s Marshall said afterwards. ‘There were times when I thought: “When will my chance come?” But tonight it did and I grabbed it with both hands.’
Rankin, 30, showed grit to stand up to the work for six rounds but she was overwhelmed in the seventh and fell to defeat for a third time when contesting one of the major world titles.
Marshall — who also won the world amateur title in 2012 — could now target two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields.
The American is undefeated in 10 bouts as a professional and holds the other three world belts at middleweight.
‘I’ve had nine fights in three years and I’ve learned sometimes it’s not just the fighting, it’s about your profile,’ she added.
Marshall’s victory came on the undercard of the bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora at Wembley Arena.
And it was the Ukrainian who emerged triumphant in their clash, clinching a unanimous points decision in what was only his second professional fight at heavyweight since moving up from cruiserweight.
Meanwhile, British boxing chiefs are hopeful that their packed winter schedule — which includes the returns of both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury — will be allowed to go ahead despite the new national lockdown.