World title challenger Alejandra Ayala has undergone surgery after being stopped by champion Hannah Rankin on Friday.
Rankin was making a maiden defence of her WBA and super-welterweight titles against game challenger Ayala who caused the Scottish star problems in the early stages. However she was left badly hurt towards the end of the fight with the referee stopping the fight in the final round to hand Rankin the victory with her opponent hardly throwing back.
Fight promoter Dennis Hobson's Fight Academy has since released an update on Ayala's condition, tweeting in an official statement: "The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Dennis Hobson Promotions, FightZone and Fight Academy are with Alejandra Ayala. Following Friday's WBA and IBO world championship bout with Hannah Rankin, Alejandra was admitted to hospital in Glasgow where she has undergone surgery and is now reported to be in a stable condition.
"We are in touch with Alejandra's family and management team and offer them our full support. Hannah is aware of the situation and was deeply concerned to learn of her brave opponent's condition. We will update everyone when we can and it's appropriate to do so, but right now our thoughts are with Alejandra and her family.
Rankin quickly sent her "prayers and wishes" to her opponent after hearing of the surgery. The Scottish star took part in a brutal encounter with Ayala who started the brighter of the two fighters despite the champion taking control of the fight the further into the distance it went.
The 31-year-old came into cruise control during the late exchanges and connecting well with a series of thudding combinations in the final round which saw the referee step in to end Ayala's punishment. Rankin was delighted with her performance after headlining her first event in front of 4,500 fans at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
Who do you think will win if the pair meet - Hannah Rankin or Natasha Jonas? Let us know in the comments section below
“I’m really happy," Rankin said after the fight. "There are always things to improve on in each performance but I showcased the things that I’ve been working on in the gym. And it was incredible to do it all at the Hydro. I’m still a bit overwhelmed at making history for my country. I have to give a massive thanks to my team around me because this is only possible because of them.
“They took this leap of faith and put me on at the Hydro, the Scottish people got behind me and I’m so proud about that. I could feel the energy in the eighth round when the room suddenly erupted. Everyone was getting excited so I thought, ‘let’s go!’
“I’ve got two of the belts and want all five of them. That’s my long-term goal. But I’ll enjoy this moment, a history-making moment. Natasha Jonas has the WBO belt, Marie Dicaire has the IBF and Patricia Berghult has the WBC – I know all the girls so it shouldn’t be too hard to make a fight with one of them."
