Champion Crolla vows to keep on improving

Photo: Lawrence Lustig

WBA KING . . . Chadderton-based Anthony Crolla.

ANTHONY ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla has warned his rivals in the world lightweight shake-up that he is determined to simply keep on improving with every fight.

Crolla (29) was at his destructive best when he defended his WBA world
lightweight title for the first time in some style - flooring tough-as-teak Venezualan Ismael Barroso in the seventh round at a packed Manchester Arena.

Crolla had been written off by many in the lead-up to the weekend, but once again he proved that he belongs among his division’s elite.

He said: “The kind of talk I was hearing before the Barroso fight just adds fuel to my fire.

UNDERDOG

“It’s not very often you get a champion who’s an underdog ahead of his first defence, but time and time again when that’s been the situation and it lifts me.

“I don’t think I should have been an underdog, but I just don’t do easy fights.

“Ismael Barroso was probably the most feared lightweight in the world, so it doesn’t mither me who I get in with next. I’ll get in the ring with anyone.

“I’ve certainly staked my claim to be the number one now, and I’m improving all the time.”

Crolla’s big-time promoter Eddie Hearn agrees whole-heartedly.

He’s now busy working on a late summer ring return for his popular charge.

The Matchroom chief said: “Anthony can have any unification he wants.

“He can have (IBF king) Rances Barthelemy, fight Linares for the WBC diamond title.

“He could take on (Manchester rival) Terry Flanagan (WBO champion).

“Basically what will happen though, is that I’ll put the options in front of Anthony and Joe, and they’ll decide what they want to do.

“I told Anthony before the weekend that if he beat Barroso, that would take him to another level.

“There will be a lot of talk about Flanagan, and understandably that will be an option, but with Anthony, the goal for him in this horrible sport will be to keep building a
future for his family.

“We’re nowhere near that yet, but he’s getting there. He’s in such a wonderful position now.

“There are big nights there for him and hopefully he’ll keep delivering.”