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Crolla vs Linares: Kell Brook says Anthony Crolla will get British boxing back to winning ways

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Jorge Linares will challenge for Anthony Crolla's WBA lightweight title this weekend live on Sky Sports and Crolla has told Sky Sports News HQ to expect a

Kell Brook is backing Anthony Crolla to get the British boxing flag flying high again by beating Jorge Linares.

The Manchester lightweight is taking on the toughest test of his career against the three-weight world champion, on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports 2.

Crolla is defending his WBA world title on the back of both Brook and Liam Smith losing high-profile bouts against elite fighters, Gennady Golovkin and Saul Alvarez respectively, in the last two weeks.

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Linares has won titles at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight and stopped Kevin Mitchell on his last visit to the United Kingdom in May 2015 and although Brook admits it is a hard fight to call, he believes 'Million Dollar' will get British world champions back to winning ways.

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 17: Canelo Alvarez, left, fights with Liam Smith, right, during the WBO Junior Middleweight World fight at AT&T Stadium on Septem
Image: Liam Smith suffered at the hands of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez last weekend

"It's top fight after fight at the moment and this is the time for British boxing," he told Sky Sports.

"Eddie Hearn and other promoters are putting really good fights on that we all want to see - and 50-50 fights where everyone is talking about it, but they can't pick them.

It is hard to split them but with the wins he's been having recently, I have to lean towards Crolla.
Kell Brook

"These are the best fights the fans want to see, those that are hard to call. It is hard to split them, but with the wins he's been having recently, I have to lean towards Crolla."

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Brook, who this week will have an operation on the broken eye socket inflicted by Golovkin two weeks ago, admits that Crolla is by no means the favourite on Saturday night.

Anthony Crolla v Jorge Linares (Lawrence Lustig)
Image: Anthony Crolla is the latest British start facing a stern test, against Jorge Linares

The bookmakers are siding towards the Mancunian retaining his world title and picking up 'The Ring' lightweight title at the same time.

But Brook believes Linares - whose previous UK visit was on the undercard of his second IBF welterweight defence against Frankie Gavin - is "much smarter" than any of Crolla's title challengers.

"This is going to be a barnstormer, one hell of a fight, and I can't wait to watch this one because we know they are full of action," he said.

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Anthony Crolla admits he has been an admirer of Jorge Linares for a long time

"They both take a lot of shots throughout every round and both can take a shot and both are very clever and professional, so I am looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.

"I think this guy's (Linares) a lot smarter than people are saying. Even if Crolla tucks up, Linares is not going to burn himself out, he's just a very clever fighter.

"Crolla's got to be tidy and clean-cut, get behind the jab - everything comes off that - and box sharp. I am leaning towards him but it is going to come down to who is the best fighter on the night."

Watch Crolla v Linares live on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm this Saturday.

Watch high quality boxing, including Crolla v Linares, with your Sky Sports subscription as part of our three months' half-price offer

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