Hannah Rankin etched her name in history in 2019 when she became the first-ever Scottish woman to win a boxing world title. What began as a way to keep active during her musical studies quickly became a life-changing journey for the boxing star.
Where it all began
Growing up on her family’s farm in Luss, Hannah was introduced to combat sports at a young age when her mum took her and her sister along to taekwondo sessions in Dunbarton.
“I think initially it was to stop us from fighting each other at home,” she joked.
Despite stopping taekwondo in high school to focus on her music, she expressed that she always loved the discipline of combat sports.
“When I started my undergraduate in classical music, I was looking for a way to keep fit, and I don’t really enjoy just going to the gym.”
Trying out Thai boxing at the Griphouse gym in Glasgow, Hannah continued Thai boxing in Glasgow until she finished her undergraduate at 21 and moved south to London.
Something new
“As soon as I got settled into London life, I looked for a gym that did combat sports and started doing Thai boxing again. While attending those classes, I noticed the boxing class going on and thought, ‘That’s something I’ve never done before; I want to give that a go.’”
Hannah, intrigued by the boxing classes happening next door, threw herself into this new opportunity.
Around the same time, Hannah’s mum was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. She explained that her mum’s illness led her to spend a lot of time in the boxing gym.
“Because I was very upset and frustrated and my music was something I’d always done with her, I wanted to turn to something else. Punching a bag definitely helps with those kinds of emotions,” she said.
After Hannah’s mum passed away, she channeled her energy into white-collar boxing matches, raising funds for various cancer charities. Those fights also became a pathway to the next stages of competing.
Going pro
Finding herself ready to move on to the next stage in her boxing journey, Hannah’s coach initially suggested she join an amateur boxing club.
“I told him that I didn’t want to do that as I enjoyed training with him. He then said that my other option was to go pro, but that would be ‘crazy’”, she explained, “and of course, that’s exactly what I decided to do.”
Since then, Hannah has gone on to become Scotland’s first female world champion, claiming the IBO super-welterweight belt on home soil back in 2019. She beams from ear to ear when talking about her achievements in the boxing world.
“That will always be one of the best moments of my life,” she told us.
For Hannah however, it is not all about the big wins and the titles.
Growing up on a farm in the countryside, Hannah explained that she was always very shy and became very conscious of the way she looked in her teens and early adulthood. She told us that boxing allowed her to love and appreciate her body for being strong and making her a world champion.
“I encourage people as much as possible to give boxing a go. Even if you’re never going to actually do any fighting and you’re just doing it for the fitness and training, it empowers you and gives you a really great feeling of strength and courage.”
A word of advice
Eager to get others to give the sport a go, Hannah explained that in the world of boxing, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. She said:
“I absolutely understand that it can feel intimidating, especially as a woman but you would be surprised at how, no matter what boxing gym you walk into, someone will always take you under their wing. The main thing to remember is that everybody starts somewhere.”
When asked what makes boxing so special and why others should consider giving it a go, Hannah expressed that because there is so much to think about when you are boxing, she finishes a session having not thought about a single other thing. She said:
“It’s such a mental break and that’s hugely important for me. Boxing requires your sole focus so there’s no room to be worrying about other things going on in your life.
“I always say to anyone who has any questions or reservations about starting, please reach out to me because I completely understand that it can be intimidating at first.”
Looking ahead
From trying out boxing as a way to keep fit, to world champion, we asked Hannah what’s next in her journey.
“I’m going to get a good fight in around May and hopefully another one nearer the end of the year. I lost out on the double world title on a split decision last November and I’m chasing that rematch,” she told us.
But the excitement for Hannah won’t all be happening inside the boxing ring this year as, in the summer, she is heading off to Paris as a commentator for the boxing.
“I am super excited about this opportunity and hope it will be a real stepping stone in my commentary career,” she said.
“Being a boxer, everything is a bit vague, but one thing for sure is that the Olympics are going ahead and that by the end of the year, I will be close towards, if not holding two world title belts.”
