Crolla driven to be best on earth

Photo: Anthony Miller

Anthony Crolla

THE thought of becoming the outright best boxer in his division continues to drive Anthony Crolla on.

Chadderton-based Crolla (29), the WBA world lightweight champion, takes on Jorge Linares, the WBC king, for the Diamond title at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, September 24.

Unifying the belts is something 'Million Dollar' has always dreamt of, but he knows he's got his work cut out in the second defence of his title against 30-year-old Venezualan Linares, someone already widely regarded as the best at 135 lbs.

Crolla told the Chronicle: "Linares is a multi-weight world champion and a possible future Hall of Famer, so he is very well respected in America and that part of the world.

"He's very talented, he's technically brilliant, and for me he's the kind of fighter who you'd tell a young amateur boxer, or a young professional, to watch.

"He does the basics very well and I'll be honest, he is someone I've admired for quite a number of years now.

"To be sharing a ring with him will be an honour, but at the same time, don't ever confuse that with me just being happy to share the ring with him.

"All of that respect will go out of the window once that first bell goes.

"He's number one in Ring Magazine, and we're fighting for the Ring belt, but to win that would be something that will be remembered forever.

"That's motivation on its own - to be recognised as the best lightweight on the planet, for me wouldn't get any better."

There is clearly that aforementioned respect between Crolla and Linares.

Asked about the rock-hard south American, Crolla added: "He just seems a cool guy.

"We've never met, but we've spoken a few times on Twitter before we knew we were going to be fighting one another.

"I'd wish him luck and he'd wish me luck, that kind of thing.

"Now we are fighting it doesn't really need much trash talk to be honest. He'll be confident, but I'm very confident it'll be me who comes out on top."

Crolla holds no fear as you would expect, with the toughest period of his training camp now beckoning with nine weeks to go.

He added: "It's still very early stages of course, but I'm happy to be back in the routine.

"In a strange way kind of way I'm looking forward to the really hard work.

"There's going to be some tough weeks ahead - and I know you've got to put it in for every fight - but for one of this magnitude I know I've got to push myself harder than I ever have done before.

"I need to make sure I'm in the best shape, and the best place mentally, than I have ever been in my career."

Tickets for 'Two Worlds Collide' are now available via the link on www.matchroomboxing.com