Just who is Savannah Marshall facing in London?
The simple two-word answer, of course, is Hannah Rankin, a London-based 30-year-old, officially listed as from Glasgow, but actually from the picturesque village of Luss, on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Mention of the lake brings punch-lines to Rankin’s vow to take the Hartlepool girl “into deep waters”, but more of that later.
Rankin’s odds of 10-1 are outrageous for a two-horse-race, especially if you have spoken to her – the Scot’s belief that she’ll “be taking the title back to Scotland” is genuinely held, it’s not just pre-fight bravado.
She talks a good game, very good in fact, and she’s very eloquent and Sky Sports could do worse if they wanted a female voice to be a pundit at the women’s world championship triple next month.
Rankin’s record in title fights is not, on paper, the greatest – he four world contests contains only one victory, for the IBO light-middleweight belt against diminutive American, Sarah French.
But to learn about Rankin you have to look at her three world title losses, all against top-line operators.
Hannah has gone the distance with the great Claressa Shields, Alicia Napoleon Espinosa and Patricia Berghult, all overseas.
She has a big heart as those girls have discovered and has never failed to reach the final bell.
Marshall oozes class and boasts considerable power but, as those three women mentioned two sentences ago have discovered, Rankin is a hard girl to move.
And she is convinced she’ll overturn the odds.
“I’m just pumped up for this fight and really ready to go,” she said.
“I’m excited to get in there and showcase what I can do by winning that world title.
“I’ve had much more experience and Savannah hasn’t had these tests yet.
“I’ll pull her into deep waters.
“We’ll go into the last rounds – she will sink or swim. The Claressa Shields-Savannah fight won’t happen after I take the world title home on Saturday.”
Whatever you do, don’t miss this fight.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
