Anthony Crolla: I'll win WBA title as a thank you to Fergie and fans

Anthony Crolla has vowed to win the WBA lightweight crown to repay fans for the support he received after being assaulted in December - including a message from his Manchester United hero.

Crolla suffered a fractured skull and a broken ankle when he confronted burglars who were attempting to break into his neighbour’s home.

The have-a-go-hero was forced to pull out of January’s title shot against Richar Abril due to his injuries but has since made a full recovery and will now challenge new WBA world champion Darleys Perez at the Manchester Arena on July 18, live on Sky Sports.

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Crolla, a fanatical Manchester United fan, is still blown away by the support he received from the sporting world, including a phone call from legendary Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I still pinch myself when I think about the call from Sir Alex,” said Crolla.

“I really thought it was a wind-up at the time, but as he kept talking I realised it was really Fergie – it was unbelievable. I was feeling pretty low and not really knowing what the future held for me, so getting that call with Sir Alex wishing me all the best and knowing he’d seen what had happened to me was a great boost.

“After that call Wayne Rooney sent me a signed shirt from the United boys, which was brilliant as I am such a big United fan.

“But as well as the backing of United, the support I have received since the attack has been overwhelming. People always say that you should win world titles for yourself but winning this belt would be the best thank you I could give to everyone that has helped on my road to recovery.”

Crolla’s date with Perez is part of a huge night of world title action in Manchester as Crolla’s gym-mate Scott Quigg defends his WBA world super-bantamweight title against Kiko Martinez.

There are a pair of tasty tussles for vacant British titles as stylish duo Chris Jenkins and Tyrone Nurse lock horns for the light-welterweight strap and big-hitting pair Sam Eggington and Glenn Foot promise a war for the welterweight crown.

St. Helens’ Martin Murray boxes at super-middleweight for the second time in quick succession as he targets some huge domestic battles at 168lbs, and there is a host of young talent on display in unbeaten Gallagher’s Gym duo Hosea Burton and Marcus Morrison.

Prizefighter lightweight champion Jono Carroll, former Team GB starlet Charlie Edwards, Sedgefield’s Jeff Saunders, Middleton’s Liam Taylor and Chapel-en-le-Firth’s Jack Massey also feature on the undercard. 

Watch Anthony Crolla's return to the ring on the High Stakes card at Manchester Arena on July 18, live on Sky Sports