Crolla vs Linares: Preview of the WBA world lightweight title fight
Sunday 25 September 2016 00:50, UK
Your one-stop preview of Saturday's WBA world lightweight title clash between Anthony Crolla and Jorge Linares - live on Sky Sports.
Live Fight Night
Background
Crolla continues to delight and inspire Manchester and if he hasn't done so already, he can project his name onto the world stage by overcoming three-weight world champion Linares at what is bound to be a deafening Manchester Arena.
The fairytale rise of the likeable 'Million Dollar' is a story that will be told for years to come but in Linares, he faces a Venezuelan who has previous when it comes to ruining British boxers' dreams - he stopped a bloodied Kevin Mitchell last year at The O2 in defence of the WBC world title.
They say class is permanent and Linares has not been beaten in well over four years but bookmakers have installed Crolla as a slight favourite to illuminate his home city once again.
What the fighters say
What the teams say
He's going through his best moment. We haven't seen the best Jorge. He's matured over the last year. He's settling down and I think he learned a lot from the Kevin Mitchell fight.
What other fighters say
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.
Linares is a tough fight and your head tells you he’d beat Crolla but then you’re sat there realising you said that about all of Crolla’s last few fights and he keeps pulling it off.
What the experts say
As the fight pans out, Crolla will start to hurt him and he’s a good shout to win on points, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he stops Linares late on.
Linares is the best of the rest so this is going to be a tough, tough night for Crolla but I can see him showing us something even better this time.
Crolla is no super slickster in there but he does the job and he will do this job well. He will get to Linares like he did with Perez and Barroso.
The weigh-in
Crolla: 9st 8lbz 5oz
Linares: 9st 8lbs 2oz
The time draws near...
Watch Crolla v Linares, John Ryder v Jack Arnfield, Callum Johnson v Willbeforce Shihepo, Conor Benn v Ross Jameson and Hosea Burton v Fernando Castaneda live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday from 7.30pm.
