Linares vs Crolla: The Panel compare fighters to footballers ahead of rematch in Manchester

Anthony Crolla battles Jorge Linares in the football mad city of Manchester, so we asked The Panel to pick out fighters who could imitate Premier League stars.

The Mancunian will attempt to regain the WBA lightweight title in a rematch with Linares this Saturday night at the Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports.

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Crolla's hometown is a hotbed for football talent, with Manchester City and United battling for bragging rights, and we asked our experts to compare their boxing friends with footballers from the past and present.

Carl Froch

Back in the day, Rob McCracken and his brothers were big Birmingham City fans and there have been a few times when I was called Robbie Savage - only because of the aggro on the pitch.

Nowadays I have been Joey Barton-ed a bit because of my silly, floppy hair.

Ricky Hatton

If you'd have asked Billy Graham what footballer I was like, he'd probably had me down as a Vinnie Jones.

Zhanat Zhakiyanov has to be a Yaya Toure, one of those players that just goes box to box and doesn't stop. Mind you, the way he trains and fights actually reminds me of myself.

Scott Quigg

I would have Anthony Crolla down as Roy Keane. He's energetic, hard-working, and when you're sparring with him, he dictates the pace.

Liam Smith is Wayne Rooney. Liam actually played a part for an advert as Rooney. He's also a striker, Liam's a good footballer, and they are both Scousers.

Adam Booth

I'm not Sam Allardyce and Crystal Palace are way better than this, so if we're talking about the classic Brazil sides, Ryan Burnett is tenacious but quick and superbly skilful, so he's Zico. Andy Lee is the Socrates, the street smart, wise head, daddy of them all.

Charlie Edwards would have to be Bryan Robson because of his fantastic engine as for a couple of the others... Jan Molby!

Callum Smith

Well Liam still plays now and loves it. Seeing what he's won and how he loves a tackle, a ruck, and doesn't keep his thoughts to himself, so he'd be Neil 'Razor' Ruddock.

As for big brother Paul, he is the one that controls it all, doesn't have to charge around, Jan Molby

Stephen is tricky, slick and small, so he'd have to be Philippe Coutinho. As for big brother Paul, he is the one that controls it all, doesn't have to charge around, Jan Molby! And before anyone replies, I am a tall and thin, like Peter Crouch.

Jamie Moore

It would have to be an absolutely fearless, cheeky chappy for Tommy Coyle. He's good mates with Jimmy Bullard, so that would be a good one. They are both cut from the same cloth and they are always up for a laugh.

Do you know what, Coyle is not too bad at football. Genetically they are all pretty gifted in that sense, because his brother Lewie Coyle plays for Leeds and his little brother Rocco is at the academy in Hull.

David Coldwell

If I had to pick someone for Tony Bellew then it would definitely be Duncan Ferguson. He's hard and does not take any rubbish from anyone. He can also be a bit mood as well.

Tony is decent at football. Don't ask me which footballer is Jamie McDonnell, because I have not got a clue.

Tony Bellew

If I had my pick, I would be Duncan Ferguson, a consistent No 9 for Everton. Dave Coldwell is Juan Sebastian Veron.

Dave Coldwell is Juan Sebastian Veron.

That goal they showed him scoring on Behind The Ropes before the Haye fight was fixed. As if he could score a goal on a decent sized pitch, he's about three-foot tall!

Jim McDonnell

I am sure you were expecting me to say James DeGale reminds me of Thierry Henry - and trust me Thierry knows a lot about boxing - but I am going to stick with the current side and surprise you, Francis Coquelin.

He is exactly the same as Chunky, no-nonense, doesn't take any rubbish and is hard as nails. They've got exactly the same temperament and you can't mess around with either of them.

Watch Jorge Linares vs Anthony Crolla II and a packed undercard, live from the Manchester Arena, from 7pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 1.