Burns test is next for Crolla

Photo: Anthony Miller

ANTHONY CROLLA

ANTHONY Crolla and Ricky Burns will clash in a must-win lightweight battle at the Manchester Arena on October 7, live on Sky Sports.

The former world champions will be looking for a huge win to get back into range for a world title tilt and continue their glittering careers at the top level.

Chadderton-based Crolla enjoyed a rollercoaster ride as WBA king at 135lbs, starting with his cancelled challenge against Richar Abril when he heroically challenged robbers at his neighbours home in December 2014.

After recovering from a skull fracture and broken ankle, 'Million Dollar' finally got his first shot in July against Darleys Perez at the Manchester Arena but was edged out in a controversial draw.

The pair rematched in the same venue five months later and Crolla took his second chance out of the judges' hands with a stunning sixth round KO from a brutal body shot.

Crolla delivered the same salvo against dangerous mandatory challenger Ismael Barroso in in May 2016 to halt the Venezuelan in round seven. That win led to a keenly fought pair of unification battles with Jorge Linares in Manchester that the visitor won, but Crolla insists that Scottish tough guy Burns will not follow in Linares' footsteps by defeating him on home soil.

"All I want to do is be involved in big fights and Ricky Burns is a three weight world champion, I've got a lot of respect for him," said Crolla.

"He's a great fighter and only lost to the very best.

"I'm looking forward to going to battle and putting on a display for the fans. Camp started a few weeks ago and I'm in a good place.

"It's at a good time for both of us. A win puts us back in the mix for titles, I'm not going to say the loser has nowhere to go, but it's going to be a tough road back. We're both coming off losing our world titles and the incentive is to win the fight and get back in the frame."

Burns created history in Scotland in May, 2016, when he defeated Michele Di Rocco in Glasgow to land the WBA world super-lightweight title and become the country's first-ever three-weight champion.

The Coatbridge star (34) successfully defended the crown against tough mandatory Kiryl Relikh in Glasgow in October, 2016, before falling short in a unification battle with IBF king Julius Indongo in April.