Hannah Rankin left ‘gutted’ as world title fight is called off following Peter Fury Covid positive

Hannah Rankin said she was “gutted” after her world title fight scheduled for this weekend was called off.

Hannah Rankin had been due to fight Savannah Marshall for the vacant WBO middleweight title. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS

The Scottish boxer was due to face Savannah Marshall for the vacant WBO middleweight title in Peterborough but Marshall’s trainer Peter Fury has tested positive for coronavirus.

The fight was on the undercard of Lewis Ritson’s light-welterweight contest against Miguel Vazquez on Saturday night.

However, Matchroom, which is promoting the event at the East of England Arena, announced the contest will be rearranged in light of Fury’s positive test.

A Matchroom statement said: “Unfortunately Savannah Marshall’s trainer Peter Fury has tested positive for COVID-19. Saturday’s WBO world middleweight title fight is off the card. All other fighters and teams tested negative.

“The fight will be rescheduled in due course and our best wishes are with Peter.”

Rankin, who was the first Scottish female fighter to clinch a boxing world title when she defeated Sarah Curran to win the IBO super-welterweight title last year, said: “I’m gutted but I just wish Peter all the best and hope he recovers quickly.”

Fury is the nephew of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson, who was trained by his uncle up to and including his shock victory over Wladimir Klitschko five years ago.

Fury, who also trains his son – heavyweight Hughie – wrote on Twitter: “It’s very regrettable that (I’ve) tested positive for Covid-19. Good news @Savmarshall1 tested negative. However due to the restrictions around a positive test, everyone must quarantine for 14 days. But #to reschedule ASAP”

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