Crolla vs Linares: The Panel give us their final predictions
Saturday 24 September 2016 22:09, UK
Anthony Crolla is the third British world champion in action in as many weeks, but will he make it third time lucky against Jorge Linares?
Kell Brook and Liam Smith were taking on their sternest tests as is 'Million Dollar' in the shape of a three-weight world champion.
At least Crolla is on home soil in Manchester and even the bookmakers are making him the favourite, so we asked current fighters, trainers and our team of pundits to give is their predictions...
Kell Brook
I think 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 Crolla but it is going to come down to who is the best fighter on the night.
David Coldwell
For me, Linares is the favourite - only slightly, probably 55-45 - but timing in boxing can be absolutely everything and Crolla is the sort of kid that will refuse to be beaten. It means everything to him - just like Hatton-Tszyu. I don't actually think this one is going to go to points either, we're looking at a late stoppage for Crolla. (Crolla to win by stoppage: 9/4 with Sky Bet)
Carl Froch
Crolla does have the constant pressure but I would put him down as an intelligent, front-foot defensive fighter, which is good because we know Linares doesn't waste many shots. Crolla just does the job and he will do this job well. He will get to Linares like he did with Perez and Barroso and I will always go for him on points, but we could even be looking at a late stoppage.
Ricky Burns
Crolla against Linares is going to be some fight. Linares showed what he was capable of when he came over here to fight Kevin Mitchell. I think I'd have to lean towards Anthony because he's on such a good run at the moment. His last fight was great and I'd fancy Crolla to get the job done.
Tyrone Nurse
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. It's a tough one and if I had to pick, I'm probably going to say Crolla with another surprising stoppage.
Ryan Rhodes
This is a tough fight for Crolla, a tough, tough fight. But I do think the confidence he's now got and how well he is going at the moment, I wouldn't bet against Crolla. I think this might be a bit of chess match to start with but I can see him taking over in the second half and Crolla taking it on points. (Crolla to win on points: 13/8 with Sky Bet)
Jamie Moore
I believe Crolla can hurt Linares. He looks big and strong at the weight, whereas two years ago he was stuck between super-featherweight and lightweight. As the fight pans out, he'll start to hurt Linares. He's a good shout to win on points, but I wouldn't be surprised if he stops Linares late on.
John Ryder
I'm backing Crolla. He is a good tactician himself and Joe Gallagher always seems to get the tactics right so I think Crolla will tuck up and expose Linares' openings. That Manchester Arena has become his fortress, probably more like his front room, so I just can't see him losing. Crolla again.
Tony Bellew
That Manchester crowd will get right behind Crolla, but that is not going to affect Linares in the slightest. It will galvanise Crolla and get the best out of him. This is genuinely a real 50-50 fight and a fight were he can't afford to lose the early rounds like he did against Barroso. I am really hoping Crolla does it of course so I am going to stick my neck on the block and go for Ant on points.
Spencer Oliver
I think Linares will start well, but Crolla will be going with him. I can see him just chipping away, chipping away and that will do it. I really do see him picking up another of those memorable wins, especially when it's against a future Hall of Famer. At the very least, I am going for Crolla to take this on points but I do believe he could actually do it inside the distance, those late rounds.
Johnny Nelson
I think this might be another fight of two halves as we thought with Perez and Barroso but this is going to go beyond either of them. I can see Linares looking smooth and composed through the first half of the fight, then Crolla coming back into in the middle rounds, then it will be a real dogfight in the closing rounds. I do think we will see even more from Crolla and he'll nick it on points.
Watch Crolla v Linares, live on Sky Sports 2 this Saturday from 7.30pm.
