Anthony Crolla vs Jorge Linares: Manchester lightweight to defend WBA title against Linares on 24 September
The tricky Venezuelan Linares is a former three-weight world champion, but Crolla has never lost at the Manchester Arena
ANTHONY CROLLA has been handed a unification blockbuster against Jorge Linares at his Manchester Arena fortress on September 24.
The WBA world lightweight champion made his professional debut at the venue back in October 2006 and has never lost there.
Crolla, 29, faces a huge test against WBC Diamond title-holder Linares, but the Manchester United fan is confident of sending his fans home happy once again.
He said: “I’m so excited to have the chance to unify the lightweight division and very proud and privileged to be able to bring this fight to Manchester.
“Jorge is a fantastic fighter and it’s another mountain to climb, but these are the tests I thrive on.
“I’m fighting the No 1 in the division for the WBA and WBC Diamond titles — it doesn’t get any better than this.
“I’ve been a fan of Jorge for years now and he’s technically brilliant at times.
“Like any other fighter, he has vulnerabilities and it’s up to me to expose them. I truly believe that I can and I will do just that.
“He’s boxed all over the world and taken on some of the best — but fighting me in front of a packed Manchester crowd is not something you can prepare for.”
Linares, 30, was last seen on British soil in May 2015 when he stopped Kevin Mitchell in the tenth round of a brutal encounter at London’s O2 Arena.
The Venezuelan said: “This is my first unification fight and a great personal challenge for me and my career
“Last year was an unbelievable year — I had the opportunity to fight in England against Mitchell in front of a crowd of passionate fight fans in one of the greatest fights of my career.
“This unification fight is another personal accomplishment for me and a great opportunity for me to fight in England once more.
“Crolla is a very strong contender and I know we will deliver an exciting fight for all the fans in Manchester.
“I know that Crolla is coming off a victory against my fellow Venezuelan Ismael Barroso, so I am coming in with a lot of determination, pride and hunger for a victory.”
Dejan Zlaticanin currently holds the regular WBC title. He defeated Franklin Mamani for the vacant gold earlier this month after Linares broke his hand and was made ‘champion in recess’.
The Montenegrin southpaw, 32, is in line to face the winner of the Crolla-Linares bout.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman explained: “Linares was placed as champion in recess by the WBC due to a broken hand which prevented him from making his mandatory defence.
“The WBC have granted Linares to return to the ring to fight this blockbuster unification for the prestigious Diamond belt and the winner is committed to fight Zlaticanin.
“I am personally proud of this fight as it continues with our goal to facilitate the best matches to take place all over the world.”