HANNAH RANKIN’S manager Sam Kynoch reckons anyone thinking women’s boxing is soft will be in for a shock on Saturday night – as it’s going to be a war.
Rankin, from Luss, will become Scotland’s first ever female world champion if she can beat American Sarah Curran in Paisley.
The fight is being shown live on the BBC and Kynoch urged any doubters to tune in and have their perceptions smashed.
He said: “This is a massive fight in every respect. It would be huge if Hannah were to become Scotland’s first ever female world champion. She fought previously in the States for world titles above her natural weight. Now she’s at home and at the right weight so it’s all on her terms now.
“It will also be a turning point in terms of perceptions. If people are unsure or cynical about female boxing then I’d tell them to come along or tune in as this will be the perfect showcase for the sport. Both boxers are buzzing and raring to get in the ring and there will be fireworks, simple as that.
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“People shouldn’t be sniffy about women’s boxing. This is a world title fight and stylistically it’s going to be a war. It’s not going to be what people might think. Female boxing at amateur level can sometimes be quite cagey but this won’t be like that.
“They’re both aggressive, come forward boxers. So any doubters should tune in on the BBC and give it a chance. If you’ve never watched a female fight before then this would be the best way to start.
“We’re approaching a sell-out and we’re expecting a typically noisy Scottish crowd. Everyone all across the country is rallying to support Hannah so it should be a great night.”
Kynoch sees Rankin, who is also a classical musician, as the perfect role model for any females looking to take up boxing.
He added: “Hannah is very aware that girls coming through the amateur ranks are looking up to her. She knows this will be a pivotal moment in terms of the role she takes on as an ambassador for women’s sport. She comes across well, she’s very articulate and respectful so she’s the perfect person to take on that mantle when she wins the world title. If Hannah wins it should open a multitude of different doors.
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“We’re not looking beyond Saturday but we see it as the springboard to get her on the world stage. America is where a lot of the big names are so she might go back there. But we also want to make this a strong base for her in Scotland. So if we can win the belt and then defend it here by bringing a big name over then we will do that.”
This is Kynoch’s first world title card with nine other bouts on the show including the Scottish super-lightweight title between Martin Taylor and Ahmed Ibrahim.
The former boxer added: “For Kynoch Boxing this is huge, too. It’s our first world title promotion and what a pleasure it is to be doing this with history on the line. To have the support of the BBC is also key as it opens the sport up to a far wider audience who can watch it live on TV. We’ve got a female headlining the bill and nine fights under that but Hannah is the driving force.”
- Sam Kynoch was speaking to promote Kynoch Boxing’s History In The Making night this Saturday, live on BBC Scotland from 10.50pm. Tickets via Eventbrite.
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