Boxer Hannah Rankin has praised the fighting spirit of her opponent who nearly died following a head injury during their fight in Glasgow.
World super-welterweight champion Rankin won by technical knockout in the 10th round when she took on Alejandra Ayala for her World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Organization (IBO) super-welterweight title fight at the OVO Hydro in May.
Alejandra, 33, from Tijuana in Mexico, was treated in the ring before being transferred to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where doctors were forced to put her into a medically induced coma.
Rankin, 32, from Luss, who now lives in London, said: “After the fight, I reached out to Alejandra.
“She responded saying we understand the risks when we get in the ring, we are both warriors. I expect nothing less from a fighter like Alejandra.
"She is a fighter and that’s what we’re made of. I wish her and her family well – it was great to hear she is on the mend.”
She added: “But it didn’t make me think about giving up and it didn’t deter me from my goals in this sport.
“It’s professional boxing, it’s a fight and all fighters know when they step into the ring they’re at risk of injury.”
Rankin, who studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as a classical bassoon player, said: “You go in there to win.
"It’s a war and you put everything out there in the ring. Afterwards you embrace your opponent and congratulate each other on the fight.”
Last week the Sunday Mail revealed the Mexican boxer’s parents had been told Alejandra was going to die from the brain injury she suffered during the fight.
Medics told Maria Elena and Vincente, who had travelled from Mexico, that their daughter was unlikely to survive ahead of her first two surgeries.
Before a third operation, doctors warned that the boxer would likely wake unable to walk or talk. But thanks to the skill of Scottish medical teams, she’s now back home in Mexico.
Rankin, who will fight Terri Harper at Nottingham Arena this month, said: “I’m very excited and I’m defending Scotland’s world title.”
She added:“My personal goals are to unify the super welterweight division and become a two weight world champion.
“I also want to inspire a next generation of young female fighters to follow their dreams in this sport and know the path has been opened for women to succeed.”
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