Colombia’s WBA (reg) lightweight champion Darleys Perez will be returning to Manchester on November 21st to again face local challenger Anthony Crolla, after their first fight back in June ended by way of a controversial majority draw.
The fight, ordered by the WBA after a petition from Crolla’s promoter Eddie Hearn, is in the wake of the heroic shift the British fighter put in first time around, in a fight most right thinking fans felt he was desperately unlucky to lose, especially given a two point deduction from the champion for low blows in the later rounds of the contest.
“I’m so pleased for Anthony that he gets another bite of the cherry on Nov. 21 in his home city,” Hearn said announcing the news.
“I haven’t found anyone yet who didn’t feel that he won the first fight, but that’s in the past now and he has to make this count. I feel like he is destined to win a world title and on Nov. 21 on a huge night for Manchester and British boxing, I truly believe his dreams will come true.”
The Joe Gallagher trained Crolla raised every aspect of his game in front of the roaring partisan crowd first time out, topping a bill that saw stablemate and WBA 122lb champion Scott Quigg obliterate Kiko Martinez inside 2 rounds, however, despite the deductions from Perez, it simply wasn’t to be. Two scores of 113-113 and a 116-111 in Crolla’s favour rendered the fight a disappointing draw.
Gary Shaw, who promotes Perez alongside Thompson Boxing, said;
“I believe Darleys is the superior fighter. This time, there will be no question who wins the fight and is still the WBA champion.
“I want to commend the WBA for ordering the rematch on this controversy of who won the fight. I also want to thank Eddie Hearn, who was a gentleman during this process. Thompson Boxing and Gary Shaw will leave England with the winner — Darleys Perez.”
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