Crolla vows to get justice this time

FIST TO FIST . . . Anthony Crolla (left) and Darleys Perez are focused.

CHADDERTON-based star Anthony Crolla has admitted he was so upset by the verdict of a draw with Darleys Perez in their first WBA World lightweight title fight that it took him months to watch it again.

Crolla and Perez clash in a rematch for the belt on Saturday at the Manchester Arena, with the controversial first fight leading to the rematch as Perez held on to his title despite the Colombian champion having points deducted for low blows in the 11th and 12th rounds.

Crolla – who turned 29 on Monday – has finally watched the fight back with trainer Joe Gallagher, and believes the pair have devised a master plan to put that result right this time.

“I didn’t watch the fight for a few months,” said Crolla. “It was a bit gutting watching it back because I found it hard to see that I had not won the fight.

“But I have watched it back since with Joe over the last few weeks’, time and time again, looking at what to work on to get the title this time.

“Every time I watch it, it doesn’t get any easier. I still think I won it, but I can make it right on Saturday.

“People say it was a career-best performance. It might have been, but I have improved since then.

“In the last fight there were times that I out-boxed him, times I hurt him, and that gives me huge confidence.

“I am sure he’s going to start fast and try to impose himself on me, to try to show that it wasn’t him at his best last time, and I look forward to answering the questions he is going to ask me.

“They were lucky to get away with the belt last time and they may not be so lucky this time.”

Crolla faces Perez on a stacked bill. The vacant British title at super-lightweight is on the line in a rematch between Chris Jenkins and Tyrone Nurse, while rising star Ryan Burnett faces Jason Booth for the vacant British bantamweight title.