Luss boxer Hannah Rankin says she’s “absolutely buzzing” after her first defence of her WBA and IBO world titles was moved to the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow.

The former Hermitage Academy pupil had been due to fight Mexico’s Alejandra Ayala at Braehead Arena on April 23 – but demand for tickets has been so high that the pair will now go head-to-head at the much larger Glasgow venue on Friday, May 13.

The 31-year-old – who beat Swedish veteran Maria Lindberg in London in November to claim the two vacant super-welterweight belts – will headline a bill which also features an all-Scottish undercard and which, for those who aren’t able to attend, will be broadcast live on Fightzone TV.

And having been in the commentary box at the Hydro recently, Rankin says she can’t wait to be the one in the ring at the Clydeside venue

“I’m absolutely ecstatic to be fighting at the Hydro,” she admitted.

“It’s one of the main venues in Scotland and every Scottish fighter would love the chance to fight there. So, to be the main event there, I’m absolutely buzzing.

“I was commentating on the recent Josh Taylor fight at the Hydro [against Jack Catterall on February 26] and the atmosphere was insane.

“I know I’m biased but the Scottish crowd are the best fans in the world. When I was at the Hydro I was saying about how amazing it would be to fight there – and lo and behold, it’s happened!

“Massive thanks to Dennis [Hobson, the fight’s promoter] and the team for their work. I really want this night to be a showcase of Scottish talent, because boxing in Scotland is absolutely flying at the moment.

“The date change means [Ayala] has two weeks longer to prepare but that doesn’t matter to me.

“She can have as many weeks as she wants but she won’t be taking my belts away from me at home in front of my Scottish fans.”

Dennis Hobson added: “Hannah is a great fighter and I’m delighted that since she joined Fight Academy we’ve helped her to become a world champion again.

“She’s the perfect role model for any athlete and it just shows how popular she is, and how much the women’s fight game is thriving, that we’ve had to move her first defence to a bigger venue.”