'Public deserve' world title bout

Photo: Bradley Ormesher

Boxer Anthony Crolla...Credit photo by Bradley Ormesher

A MEGA World title unification bout between Mancunian lightweights Terry Flanagan and Chadderton-based Anthony Crolla is something that must happen, says Flanagan's manager and promoter Steve Wood.

WBA champion Crolla delighted the Manchester Arena with a seventh-round stoppage of mandatory challenger Ismael Barroso, and promoter Eddie Hearn immediately hailed 'Million Dollar' as the leading 135lbs fighter on the planet.

But Wood, who manages WBO king Flanagan, said: "They are different ages but went to the same school (St Matthew's RC High in New Moston) so it's got to happen now hasn't it?

"Eddie Hearn said that Crolla is the No 1 lightweight but, in our opinion, he's not even the No 1 lightweight in Manchester, so let's get the fight made.

"Frank Warren said publicly that if the only way is to do it on Sky Sports, then do it.

"Really and truthfully from Terry, me as his manager and Frank as his promoter, we are just happy to get the fight done. The public deserve this fight.

"I've known Anthony Crolla since his debut and have probably seen 90 per cent of his fights and we've always thought Terry would have too much for him. That's not changed.

"Crolla's performance [against Barroso] was great and gritty because he hung in there.

"He got battered for four rounds and took the kid out when he tired. They were risky tactics.

GAME PLAN

"I'm not sure it was a game plan. I'm not sure he had any other choice. Crolla's not got the fastest of feet and he's not got the fastest of hands so really and truthfully he had to weather the storm and hope he would tire. It happened and he got a good win.

"A lot of people seem to underestimate Crolla because he's a pretty boy, but they don't understand how tough he is.

"In boxing, the good-looking kids seem to be tougher than the ugly beasts and we've known for a long time how tough Crolla is. In terms of being good-looking or an ugly beast, Terry is stuck in the middle!"

Crolla's trainer Joe Gallagher has reportedly questioned the size of Flanagan's profile and instead earmarked WBC champion 'in recess' Jorge Linares as Crolla's primary target.