Crolla’s chance to join greats
ANTHONY CROLLA will become a British great if he upsets Jorge Linares in their rematch tomorrow night at Manchester Arena.
Joe Gallagher, Crolla’s trainer, believes a win for his man would be the greatest victory by a Briton since Ricky Hatton beat Kostya Tszyu in 2005.
Crolla is the underdog against world champion Linares, who took the WBA lightweight title from him in September, just like Hatton was against Tszyu.
Gallagher said: “If Anthony wins, it will be right up there with the other great wins by British fighters.”
It is a huge task facing the likeable Crolla, who has had a rollercoaster career with five defeats and three draws in 39 fights.
The winner could be set for a unification clash in Las Vegas against WBC champion Mikey Garcia later in the year. And Gallagher believes Linares will remember his fights with Crolla even if this one goes the way the bookies predict.
He said: “In the first fight, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this guy is good’, and I was just glad Anthony went the 12 rounds.
“When Linares retires, he will pull out the video of his fight with Anthony and say this was one of his best.”
Venezuelan Linares arrived at yesterday’s press conference sporting shades as he lapped up some rare Manchester sunshine.
He knows he is back in hostile territory with 15,000 expected at Manchester Arena but had no issues with the boos in the first fight.
He is not bothered that Manchester United fan Crolla will have some players from his favourite team backing him at ringside.
Linares said: “I’m going to get Ricky Hatton on the phone to get all the Blues to support me and to get some Man City players there.”