Saturday 24 September 2016 00:19, UK
Anthony Crolla shaded Jorge Linares on the scales and then assured fans he's ready to cast mutual respect out of the window tomorrow night.
WBA world lightweight champion 'Millon Dollar' (31-4-3-KO13) clocked 9st 8lbs 5oz - three ounces heavier than challenger Linares (40-3-KO27) but comfortably inside the 9st 9lb limit - and then saluted his supporters in a packed Manchester hotel.
The mutual respect between the fighters has dominated fight week but although he has admitted he is a long-time admirer of three-weight world champion Linares, Crolla will set everything aside when the time to do battle arrives.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I'm really happy. I made weight comfortably. I've not seen Jorge on the scales but we're both in shape. We had great notice so there's no reason not to be in the shape of our career. I can't wait until tomorrow night.
"I'm taken aback to see the support when I step on the scales. I'm so thankful for it and I'll make them proud tomorrow night.
"It's just business and we shook hands. We'll touch gloves tomorrow night and then all respect goes out of the window once that first bell goes.
"It's the biggest fight out there and these are the challenges you get in boxing for. Winning tomorrow night puts my name out around the world. Linares is well respected in America and South America.
"Getting those two beautiful belts, the WBA and WBC Diamond and then joining that elite club of Ring magazine champions being recognised as the best lightweight on the planet - it doesn't get any better than that.
"I'm sure we'll have that arena rocking just like we did in the Ricky Hatton days. I'm ready to make a bit of history."
On the undercard, John Ryder (11st 5lbs 6oz) faces Jack Arnfield (11st 5lbs 4oz), Callum Johnson (12st 6lbs 5oz) takes on Willbeforce Shihepo (12st 4lbs 8oz) for the Commonwealth light-heavyweight crown and British light-heavyweight champion Hosea Burton weighed 12st 8lbs 7oz ahead of fighting Fernando Castaneda (12st 7lbs 2oz).
There are also outings for welterweight hope Conor Benn (10st 7lbs 9oz) against Ross Jameson (10st 2lbs 8oz) and British and Commonwealth featherweight king Isaac Lowe (9st 8oz), who weighed the same as opponent Elvis Guillen.
Watch Crolla v Linares and a packed undercard live on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm on Saturday
