Darleys Perez vs Anthony Crolla II: The Panel have their say
Frampton and Barker join the usual suspects...
Thursday 19 November 2015 18:20, UK
Anthony Crolla has a second chance to take Darleys Perez's world title in Manchester, but which experts believe he'll do it?
Carl Frampton
I felt bad for him in the first fight. He was very unlucky and showed that he's capable of beating that guy from the first performance. I think Perez may be coming out a different animal this time because that was a below-par performance from him.
Carl predicts: I want Crolla to win but I think it's a toss-up and I'm edging towards Perez on points.
Scott Quigg
Anthony can be better and he has to be. I believe he won last time but the judges didn't so if he's only as good as he was in the first fight, it's not going to be good enough. I've been in the gym with him and sparring with him and I'll tell you now, he's a lot better. He's doing more and has improved. He's on the road to putting in a career best performance. He always believed he was world class but now he knows it.
Scott predicts: Anthony is going to become world champion and I think Crolla can get a late stoppage.
Jamie Moore
I think Crolla can do it, I really do. I think Perez knows he was below-par in their first bout but I actually think that will work against him because I think he'll be so eager to start quickly that he could be running out of gas in the second half of the fight, allowing Crolla to come on strong. I think it'll be even closer than the first fight but I think the judges are more likely to give it to the right man.
Jamie predicts: I think Crolla wins this on points in a very close fight.
Ohara Davies
Before their first fight, I was one of Anthony's sparring partners up in his gym in Bolton. I think he won the first fight. In this second fight, if he has the same game plan he can win. He knows what to do and has a great coach. As long as he executes the game plan, I think it'll be easier for him than the first fight.
Ohara predicts: I think Crolla can win this on points.
Carl Froch
We've seen plenty of fighters who thought they were hard done by in the first fight - and believe me, I thought Crolla was - end up losing again. I just have a feeling Perez is going to come and show us how good he is. He is world class, no doubt about that. I am just worried the champion will be firing on all cylinders.
Carl predicts: It'll be great if Crolla does it and my heart says yes, but my boxing brain, says Perez on points. Sadly.
Glenn McCrory
Crolla put in an absolutely inspired performance the first time around and the question is: can he do it again? Did Perez take him a bit easy? I think there's a touch of that but I think Crolla has it in him and will have learned that he can do this. He'll have no problem summoning up more desire because he knows he won. Perez knows he was lucky too - he didn't look like a victor after the fight.
Glenn predicts: I really think Crolla can do it. He's proved how much he wants it and I think Crolla can get a points decision.
Dave Coldwell
I'm seeing people say what they said about Jamie McDonnell's rematch with Tomoki Kameda- that Perez took him lightly and Crolla has had his chance. There's another way of looking at it though; Crolla knows more and will improve. They'll both be better but I think Crolla has the measure of him. There might be a few scary moments in the fight but I think Crolla will be that little bit in front all the way through.
Dave predicts: I think it's close but I would say Crolla on points.
Paul Smith
I do think this will be a really tough fight, a bit of a chess match. I think Ant knows he can hurt Perez again but the champion will be trying his best to catch him. But I can't see either of them managing to catch the other and end it.
Paul predicts: Ant's work-rate and success could get a late stoppage but that is a big ask, so I can only see it going to points with Crolla getting it, second time of asking.
Darren Barker
I was disappointed with Perez in the first one and, don't get me wrong, Crolla boxed out of his skin and Joe Gallagher came up with a great game plan again, but it all depends on how the champion turns up. If Crolla faces the same Perez, he will win that world title, no doubt about it.
Darren predicts: We just don't know what Perez is going to be like, but I will stick with Crolla, nicking it on points this time.
Callum Smith
A lot of boxing fans will tell you that because people thought he won the last one, he'll win this one but Anthony will be the first to tell you it's a tough fight because I think they'll both be better. Anthony goes in knowing he can win and this camp has been better.
Callum predicts: I've got every confidence he can go in there and do it. He proved he belonged there and I think Crolla will win it on points.
Jim Watt
I could not believe how poor Perez was in that first one, as a world champion. He was so disappointing, he has to improve this time but even so, I still think Crolla has what it takes to beat him... again. We know Joe Gallagher's fighters are always in great shape so Anthony will have no problems going the distance and this time I am expecting him to be even better as well.
Jim predicts: Crolla on points - this time he gets the decision.
Johnny Nelson
We popped in to see Perez in the gym this week and his trainer kept telling us about the stomach problem his man had in the first fight and that that means he will be a different fighter this time. He made that quite clear. Crolla stepped up a level last time in the biggest fight of his life and I thought 'wow'. I am sure he will be even surer of himself this time around but I think Perez is the one who can improve the most.
Johnny predicts: I think he will go for the stoppage but it will probably be Perez on points.