Anthony Crolla secures shot at WBA lightweight title after beating Daud Yordan on points
Manchester local is now mandatory challenger for the belt owned by Ukraine sensation Vasyl Lomachenko
ANTHONY CROLLA secured a shot at the WBA lightweight world title currently held by Ukraine sensation Vasyl Lomachenko.
The 31-year-old Manchester local was roared on by his fans en route to outpointing Daud Yordan.
Million Dollar, the former WBA champ, is now mandatory challenger for the belt owned by the unbeaten Ukraine superstar.
Crolla, rebuilding his career after back-to-back defeats to Jorge Linares in 2016 and 2017, completed his career comeback with scores of 116-112 from all three judges.
He said: “I would never be disrespectful enough to call out Vasyl Lomachenko.
“Of course I would love to get him over here to fight me in Manchester in front of my home fans.”
Crolla grabbed the first round with a solid three-minute display working Yordan’s body but the Indonesian got into gear for the second and made the local lad work.
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The pair locked heads and thudded away throughout the third, Crolla’s jab had looked capable of winning him the fight but he seemed to fancy a tear-up at close range.
A powerful fifth-round right hook from Crolla found a home and he never looked troubled by Yordan who marched forward relentlessly, trying to get his forehead on Crolla’s chest and fire off shots.
A venomous body shot in the sixth backed the Brit back on to the ropes and Yordan followed it up with a right hand to help secure him the middle round. And the visitor was warned about leading with his head in the seventh.
Neither fighter looked like making a mistake as the rounds trickled by and Crolla was able to end the encounter knowing a hometown decision would probably be on the cards.