Monday 9 November 2015 16:33, UK
Anthony Crolla admits he is obsessed by the thought of winning a world title in front of his hometown fans later this month.
Crolla faces Darleys Perez in a rematch for the WBA lightweight crown at the Manchester Arena on November 21, live on Sky Sports.
The Mancunian fell just short of dethroning Perez at the same venue in July but the Colombian retained his title via a majority draw despite being docked two points for low blows.
However, 'Million Dollar' was granted an immediate rematch by the WBA following an appeal and is now fully focused on achieving his dream of becoming a world champion.
"I think about winning the world title in Manchester every single day," said Crolla. "I think about it going into the gym, before I go to sleep, over and over.
"I am sure the real thing will be even better than how I imagine it, and that is what I want to experience on November 21.
"I will do everything I can to make that dream come true. It has been a dream since I first laced a pair of gloves, every fighter has the same dream, and there would be no better setting than to do it in front of my hometown people.
"The division is very, very strong and it is great to be a part of it. There are four or five fighters in the division who are world-level fighters. There are many great domestic fights to be had for world titles and hopefully I can bring home that title and then I don't necessarily be needing to go across the pond for big lightweight fights as there are ones right here in Britain.
"I still get goosebumps thinking about the ring walk now. To have 12,000 people in an arena like that, it was surreal. I am a lad who has been going there since before the Ricky Hatton days, seeing boxers like your Naseem Hameds and your Michael Brodies, to experience it as a fighter, it was a dream come true."
Crolla faces Perez on a stacked bill in Manchester as the vacant British title at super-lightweight is on the line in a rematch between Chris Jenkins and Tyrone Nurse, whilst new Matchroom signing Ryan Burnett faces Jason Booth for the vacant British bantamweight title.
There's a pair of English title fights with talented former Team GB man defending his flyweight title against Liverpool's Phil Smith and Isaac Lowe defends his featherweight strap against Manchester's Ryan Doyle.
Unbeaten Manchester cruiserweight Hosea Burton meets Tony Hill for the vacant WBA inter-continental title, and there's action for former world bantamweight champion Stuart Hall, former world title challenger Brian Rose and unbeaten youngsters Marcus Morrison and Liam Taylor.
