IT’S been a rollercoaster 14 months for Luss boxer Hannah Rankin.

On June 15, 2019, she became Scotland’s first female world champion. On a night where the history books were opened, so, too, were the eyes of the general public to a boxer, a female boxer, who fulfilled her wildest of dreams.

A year-and-a-bit on from that historic night in Paisley, the former Hermitage Academy pupil has been on a rollercoaster ride of unexpected twists and turns, both before and since she lost her IBO super-welterweight title to Patricia Berghult in a shock reversal in Malta in November.

But after destroying former world champion Eva Bajic in three rounds back in February, the Scot’s climb back into title contention is well and truly on.

Looking back on the last 14 months, starting with that triumphant evening in Paisley, Rankin recalled: “During the ring walk the butterflies crept in and it really hit home to me that I was fighting to make history for my country.

“There were lots of young boxers from the Kynoch Boxing gym standing and clapping me into the venue; it was like a guard of honour. It was a very special moment for me.

“When my arm was raised and I heard ‘And the new...’, it really hit home that I’d become a world champion, like I had promised for my mum.

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“All the hard work and sacrifices Noel [Callan, her coach] and I made had finally paid off. I’d made history for my country and live on the BBC. It was one of the best moments of my life.”

She may have become a world champion but she is still the same Hannah Rankin who came to prominence three years ago, humble and down to earth. But life has changed in some respects: “I do get recognised a bit more at home and down here in London,” she continued, “which is nice, but it always surprises me!

“I definitely have more of a voice in the boxing world and sport in general, which is good; it’s a responsibility that comes with becoming a world champion – you should have a voice and use it for positive change.

“My dad has always been great at reminding me to keep my feet on the ground, regardless of where I get to. I will always feel that I have everything to prove having not come from the same amateur background that others have.”

Setbacks are part and parcel of life and only through learning from past mistakes will we find a better version of ourselves.

Hannah’s last setback was a costly one but even in the toughest of times, she still believed.

“Losing my world title was a very low point in my career,” she said. “I made a mistake and rushed the beginning, before getting dropped for the first time.

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“I was very frustrated with myself, and quite depressed, as my own mistake made me lose the one thing I’d put everything into, both financially and physically.

“I’m grateful to have had my coach by my side throughout those dark times.

“He has always believed in me and together we shut ourselves away from friends and family over Christmas and New Year, to work towards my comeback, where I produced one of my best performances.”

As for what comes next: anyone, any time, any place is very much Hannah’s motto.

When asked what names are on her hit list over the next 12 months, she responded in typical fashion, “Everyone – I’ll fight anyone, anywhere!

“But number one on my list is obviously Berghult so we can rematch for my titles. If I can get to America, I’m happy to fight the likes of Raquel Miller, Hanna Gabriels, Logan Holler or even Alicia Napoleon to name a few.

“I’m obviously happy at 154lb and 160lb but I’m not averse to dropping to 147lb. Let’s see what options come up.”

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