Manchester lightweight Anthony Crolla suffers fractured skull and broken ankle after confronting burglars
Wednesday 17 December 2014 16:09, UK
Anthony Crolla will have surgery on Wednesday after an attack by burglars left him with multiple injuries.
The Manchester lightweight, who was due to fight for a world title in January, suffered a fractured skull and broke his ankle in two places when he was hit with a concrete slab.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed Crolla had been pursuing intruders who ran through his garden after leaving his next-door neighbours' house.
That January 23 challenge for Richar Abril's WBA belt is now on hold, and trainer Joe Gallagher told Sky Sports Crolla's injuries, which also include cuts to the head, are bad enough to require surgery.
The 28-year-old, a former British and Commonwealth champion, had worked his way into world title contention with eight unbeaten fights after back-to-back defeats in 2012.
His promoter Eddie Hearn said: "It looks like he will be okay. But obviously we are devastated for him that the dream of a world title on January 23 is not going to happen."
Crolla trains under Gallagher at Amir Khan's Bolton gym, and Khan told Sky Sports News HQ: "I was just speaking to a friend who was telling me how good he's looked in training. It's so sad to hear because he had a huge fight coming up for a world title."
GMP's Detective Sergeant Richard Arthern said: "The victim was outraged that these two men had broken into his neighbour's home and gave chase.
"When he caught up with one of them, he was hit with such force, he received a fractured skull. He staggered backwards and fell to the ground leaving him with a broken ankle and in a lot of pain. Thankfully he is recovering well in hospital."
