LUSS boxing sensation Hannah Rankin says she can’t wait to get back into the ring after a new opponent for her first tilt at a major title was confirmed.

The former Hermitage Academy pupil was forced to put her bid for a Commonwealth belt on hold earlier this year after her scheduled opponent, Julie Tshabalala, was forced to withdraw due to visa issues.

But this week it was confirmed that the 27-year-old will fight Katia Alvarino over 10 rounds at the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley on Saturday, June 16 for the WBC silver super-welterweight title.

And the contest will present Rankin, who has just broken in to the world top ten, with her toughest challenge in the ring yet – since her Uruguayan opponent is ranked at number four in the world.

Rankin told the Advertiser this week: “I’m at number nine in the rankings, and Katia has challenged for a number of world titles, so this is a big step up for me.

“She’s a much tougher prospect than Tshabalala, but I’m really excited about it.

“I was really disappointed to miss out on the chance to win the Commonwealth super-welterweight title in April, but this is a really great opportunity.

“It’s not my decision who I fight – that’s all down to my trainer and manager to sort out – but when I was told it was Katia, I was really excited.

“I’ve watched her fight and I think she has a style that will really benefit me.”

The cancellation of April’s Commonwealth bout thwarted Rankin’s hopes of making history by being the first female boxer to contest a Commonwealth title on UK soil.

But she’ll still be a history-maker when she steps into the ring in two weekends’ time for the first WBC silver title fight to be held in the UK.

“Training is going really well,” Rankin continued. “I’ve been sparring with Sandy Ryan, who won gold in the 69kg class at the Commonwealth Games, and I’m off to Germany at the end of this week to train with Christina Hammer [the WBC and WBO world middleweight champion].

“You couldn’t really ask for higher quality training partners, so I’ll definitely be ready come fight night.”

A GoFundMe page to help with the costs associated with Rankin’s step up the pro boxing ladder has raised more than £1,200, with the money to be used towards the sanctioning fees for next month’s WBC contest in Paisley – where she’ll once again be part of a top bill put together by promoters MTK Scotland.

“I’m really grateful to everyone who has supported me so far,” she added.

“It makes such a difference knowing I have the backing of so many people.”