Anthony Crolla ready to prove doubters wrong in Jorge Linares rematch

Crolla was close to getting knocked out in the seventh round, but fought till the last round, before losing by 118-109 on all three scorecards.

Linares is at the top of the pile in the lightweight division and if there was a chance of having a rematch, that was always more important to me than any other fight. “I was as big as Linares and physically I feel strong”.

‘I don’t mind people saying I’ve overachieved, ‘ Crolla said as he and Linares took part in a public work-out at Manchester’s National Football Museum.

“I’m going to have a little break with my family now”.

“But I still believe I’m improving and until the day comes when I don’t feel that then I’m sure my team will be honest with me”.

“I felt I was coming in better than ever, the only thing for me is round four my ribs were sore throughout the fight”. I’m 30, but I don’t think I’m an old 30 because I live well. Either fight would be huge; whether it would be super-featherweight king Lomachenko stepping up in weight to face Linares, or WBC lightweight champ Garcia agreeing to a unification fight with Linares. “I think we can get it into works and maybe fight him this summer, maybe late July”. But a potential hurdle stands in the way, given the two are managed by rival promotions with rival television broadcasters behind them.

Hearn said: “Ricky Burns could unify the division on 15 April”. “He is a champion and we’re now not the champion but there are other options as well”.

With the right hand injury that hampered him in their first meeting fully healed, Linares (42-3, 27 KOs) was masterful in pitching a near shutout of Crolla, in the former titleholder’s backyard of Manchester, England. Born and raised in Venezuela, he has fought 16 times in Japan, including the first seven bouts of his pro career.

Asked about making adjustments this time around, Manchester’s Crolla, who is trained by Joe Gallagher, told Press Association Sport on Tuesday: ‘Obviously, I’m not going to give too much away, but we have to be smarter in the ring. He was sharp and accurate. “I can certainly see us both being even better this time”. “I’m anxious. I can’t wait to show you on Saturday night, put it all together and return home with my belts”.

Jorge Linares, who has the WBA title and the Ring Magazine lineal crown, reinvented himself when he left Japan in 2014 to join his trainer, Ismael Salas, in Las Vegas. I’ve been on to my manager and my promoter Frank Warren to start looking elsewhere.

The Venezuelan star returns to place the straps on the line against the hometown hero, looking for a third win in the United Kingdom after defeating Kevin Mitchell in another fight of the year contender.