Friday 14 October 2016 08:43, UK
Anthony Crolla is already looking at ways of improving his chances of beating Jorge Linares in a potential rematch.
'Million Dollar' is expecting to get the chance to win back his WBA lightweight world title next spring, following his points loss to the thee-weight world champion in September.
Linares (41-3-KO27) also won the coveted Ring Magazine lightweight belt but injured his hand during the fight and is not expected to be back in action until early next year.
Crolla (31-5-3-KO13) says the timing isn't ideal but less than three weeks after losing he is already working on ways to win the WBA title back, "ticking over" in the gym.
"The rematch is still the thing I want," he told Sky Sports.
"It would be different if Linares had a really long lay-off, but I think we are looking at March, which is a while off but not completely disastrous. If we were talking next summer, I would be looking somewhere else but this is what I want next.
"I believe now is the good time to be learning and when there's no pressure on, or you are working on specific gameplan, you just take a step back and see different things.
"Today I was on the pads and me and Joe (Gallagher) were just chatting about and going through small little things we can do in the rematch. I am always learning and although it's way off, I am confident I can bounce back. The rematch again Linares will be a tough, tough fight but I do believe I can make the result difference."
Crolla is expecting to start sparring with gym-mate Stephen Smith, who is making his second world-title challenge when he takes on WBA super-featherweight champion Jason Sosa in Monte Carlo on November 12, live on Sky Sports.
The Mancunian is hoping his revenge mission will take place on home soil, insisting that even if he has won world titles at three different weights and boxed in four continents, Linares will want to return to the notoriously vocal Manchester Arena.
"I am not trying to be big-headed, but there was a great crowd in there that night and what other lightweight in the world is he going to fight with that crowd, in an arena like that?" said Crolla.
"Jorge is a cool guy. He's well-travelled and I would love to ask him if that was the best atmosphere he's ever boxed in?"
Linares is also the WBC champion in recess after a previous inury to his right hand kept him out for 11 months, but the latest development has ruled out a fight with WBC holder Dejan Zlaticanin, in what was likely to be a unification.
But the irony will not be lost on either Crolla or the Venezuelan, whose hand was damaged in the sixth round.
"On the night, I gave it everything I had and left it all in the ring and couldn't have done any better, but obviously there is always room for improvement," said Crolla.
"But I do believe that getting rocked in the sixth round was a big part of the fight. I believe I was having a good round and winning it well and honestly thought I was got to take over at that point.
"I was winning that sixth round but you have to give it to Linares, he shook me and finished the round strong. He showed his big-fight experience and he looked liked he was enjoying it. He looked good on the eye and that is something I can't afford to let that happen again.
"I am a big believer in myself that I will go away, make a few improvements - and I am still improving - and I didn't box bad or under-performed, but there is still for plenty of improvement."
