Anthony Crolla wants to continue his incredible run of wins going and defeat Jorge Linares as they clash in a Lightweight unification blockbuster at the Manchester Arena tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports. Crolla puts his WBA crown on the line for the second time against the three-weight great, who brings his WBC Diamond strap to the UK. The vacant Ring magazine title is the third prize on offer to the winner, offering Crolla the chance to become the first English Lightweight to win that belt.
Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares has told Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla that his fans cannot help him in their unification blockbuster for the WBA, WBC Diamond and vacant Ring Magazine Lightweight titles at the Manchester Arena on Saturday September 24, live on Sky Sports.
Three-weight world king, Linares brings his all-action style to Manchester for the mouth-watering contest, as he looks to halt Crolla’s remarkable rise to the top of the 135lbs division.
WBA Lightweight World Champion Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla (31-4-3, 13 KOs), and WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs), hosted a press conference today at Hotel Football in Old Trafford, to formally announce the blockbuster world championship unification fight for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships at the Manchester Arena on September 24, 2016, live on Sky Sports.
Anthony Crolla will face Jorge Linares in a huge unification blockbuster for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships at the Manchester Arena on September 24, 2016, live on Sky Sports.
Crolla will make the second defence of his WBA crown in his hometown fortress following his brilliant knockout victory over Venezuelan danger man Ismael Barroso in May, having ripped the title from Darleys Perez with another body shot knockout in November.
(Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions) LOS ANGELES (May 24, 2016) – Unbeaten since 2012 and recognized as one the top lightweight fighters in the world, WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Niño De Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs) will continue to cement his legacy as a member of the Golden Boy Promotions roster, retaining the Los Angeles-based company founded by Oscar De La Hoya as his United States promoter.
The multi-year contract will continue to recognize Linares’ relationship with co-promoter, Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions, with both companies teaming up to put Linares in the biggest fights possible.
WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares, (39-3, 26ko) defends his title against Mexico’s Ivan Cano (23-6-2, 15ko) at home in Venezuela tonight, in what will be only his 4th fight in his native land over the course of his 13 years as a professional.
The Golden Boy promoted Linares – who resides in Japan – has said he is relishing the opportunity to box in front of his home fans and has promised that after he beats Cano tonight, he will continue to dominate at 135 lbs for some time to come.
After their thrilling fight back in May resulted in a heroic Kevin Mitchell (39-3, 29ko) getting stopped in the tenth round (despite being up on two scorecards), WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares (39-3, 26ko) has snubbed a rematch with the Englishman, and will fight unheralded Mexican Ivan Cano (23-6-2) on October 18th instead.
It was made clear in the immediate aftermath of May’s fight that Linares would be returning to Venezuela to make his next defence, and his team were thought to be open to the possibility of a second fight with the Dagenham man.
Going into his world title challenge on May 30th against Venezuelan champion Jorge Linares, likable Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell had to convince a lot of people that he really could perform when it was all on the line. After disappointing and emphatic stoppage losses in prior world title challenges on the big stage – against Michael Katsidis for an interim strap in 2010 and then again 2 years later against Ricky Burns – there were still serious questions about the Londoner’s desire and commitment, despite his career rejuvenation under the Matchroom promotional banner over the last couple of years.
Those questions were answered by a lion-hearted Mitchell in a thrilling fight in which both men touched down – however Linares would be the man to eventually prevail, securing a 10th round stoppage, aided in part by a horrific eye swelling that had blighted Mitchell’s face.
Those that witnessed it saw something special last Saturday when Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell tragically fell short of his world title dream against Venezuelan WBC champ Jorge Linares, when he was stopped at the end of the 10th round after giving an heroic account of himself – flooring the champion along the way and sustaining an horrific eye injury from an earlier clash of heads.
For those that had doubted whether Mitchell truly belonged at top level, things became a little clearer given his performance. In a thrilling contest, at the time of the stoppage, Mitchell was up on 2 of the cards and things were level on the third. A fitting testament to the drama that left those in attendance and watching at home crying out for more.
Sadly it was not to be once more for Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell last night – but after a brave and spirited performance – and third crack at a world title – the affable Londoner is left wondering where he can next go from here, with opposing views as to the future of the East London fighter.
Mitchell and Linares were always going to be the most intriguing fight on the card for me due to each man’s high skill level and individual frailties – and the bout did not disappoint in terms of action and excitement.