The Scot developed as the fight progressed, before connecting well in the final round and causing the stoppage; the victory elevates the prospect her now stepping into the ring with Natasha Jonas
Saturday 14 May 2022 07:40, UK
Hannah Rankin defended her WBA & IBO super-welterweight titles following a 10th-round stoppage victory against Alejandra Ayala.
Rankin developed as the fight progressed, before connecting well in the final round and causing the stoppage.
The victory for the Scot elevates the prospect her potentially stepping into the ring with Natasha Jonas.
Speaking before Rankin's fight Jonas told Sky Sports that she would be watching closely, and Rankin had also said she had her own eyes on a unification bout.
"We're waiting to see the outcome of her fight," Jonas said. "The ranking fight is a fight we both want, and we both believe we can win, so it's exciting times.
"The whole point of moving up the weight divisions was to give myself options and I do believe that I've got that now."
Rankin fought Ayala in front of a 4,500 strong crowd in Glasgow, a 'homecoming fight' as Jonas called it, and that's something the 37-year-old would be keen on.
"I'd do it [fight Rankin] anywhere. The idea is to do it, maybe like a homecoming for me in Liverpool.
"But, I'm not really bothered where I have it to be honest. A fight is a fight, it doesn't make any difference.
"I've gone to people's backyards before, and it doesn't make any difference to me."
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