Tuesday 10 May 2016 18:52, UK
Anthony Crolla will turn his attentions to WBC world champion 'in recess' Jorge Linares rather than Terry Flanagan, says his trainer Joe Gallagher.
The WBA king (31-4-3-KO13) defended his title in dramatic style on Saturday night; continuing his fairytale rise to the top of the lightweight division by stopping mandatory challenger Ismael Barroso at the Manchester Arena.
WBO holder Flanagan (30-0-KO12) has already made two defences - blasting out Diego Magdaleno early and then outpointing Derry Mathews - and his manager Steve Wood has already outlined his desire for a unification fight between the two Mancunians.
But Gallagher said: "You can see the appeal in Anthony. The atmosphere at the arena was fantastic and everybody in America has sat up and took heed of Anthony Crolla. He's gone to another level now.
"That fight [against Flanagan] would be fourth or fifth option. He's got two fights being put to him at the moment so that's not one that's up there. A Las Vegas night against Linares is one and Old Trafford is another. Those two nights are before anything else.
"People say everyone wants to see it but nobody's saying that to me. I don't think many people know who Terry Flanagan is. The trade people might want to see it but the general person in the street doesn't know about it. Of the 10,000 or 11,000 at the arena on Saturday night, a lot of them are unaware who Flanagan is.
"The profile Anthony has is mainstream now. They all know who he is and he's one of the success stories of 2016. That's why I feel Crolla v Flanagan won't happen for another 12 months because nobody knows who Flanagan is so how can you sell it?"
There are people on Flanagan's side of the camp who are desperate. I'm sure they were sat at home watching on Saturday night and want to be part of that experience.
Linares, who beat Kevin Mitchell in London last May, has not fought yet in 2016 after suffering a hand injury.
Gallagher added: "Anthony wants to fight Linares and has done for a long time. We almost had the fight made before the injury but Anthony wants to fight someone that people all over the world consider to be the No 1. We want to fight Linares for the right to be No 1.
"There are people on Flanagan's side of the camp who are desperate. I'm sure they were sat at home watching on Saturday night and want to be part of that experience. They understand Crolla is the draw, so that fight will build and build and in my opinion will happen at a football stadium next year.
"I've only just come off the phone to Anthony laughing and joking about how mad it is that people are putting them up there with Linares and that there are offers to fight in Las Vegas. We are both giggling to each other. He's absolutely landed in the big time now.
"Linares was WBC champion and I think they're one and two in The Ring magazine. There's a 'bucket list' I want Anthony to do and on there is headlining in Las Vegas or headlining at Old Trafford. I'm being greedy but if I can get one of the two, I'd be more than happy."
Crolla won the title by stopping Darleys Perez in their November rematch and was making his first defence in outgunning Barroso.
