Crolla: Bring on fight night

FIGHT NIGHT ON THE HORIZON . . . Anthony Crolla and Jorge Linares

ANTHONY Crolla believes his WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine world lightweight title unification fight with Venezualan tough guy Jorge Linares will be a contender for fight of the year, and has hinted it could be the beginning of a trilogy between the pair.

"If you look at both of our past few fights, they have both been really exciting fight-of-the-year candidates," Crolla said.

"I think it can't fail but to be a good fight. If we put on a great fight, it wouldn't surprise me if we have a few fights down the line.

"But I'm looking past no one. Jorge Linares is all I've been watching since the fight has been made and that is all I will be doing for the next four and a half weeks.

"He is a great fighter but I believe I have seen a few weaknesses of his that I can take advantage of on the night and make sure I win those beautiful belts."

Linares, a three-weight world champion at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight, has only boxed once since stopping former WBC king Kevin Mitchell, winning in four rounds against Ivan Cano in October in London.

Mitchell, who lost for just the third time in a 42-fight professional career, floored Linares during the fifth round of their bout, but the Venezuelan got up to win by stoppage and Crolla admits he was impressed by that performance.

Crolla said: "He's a very, very durable, very tough fighter. He pulled himself up off the canvas against Mitchell and that is what champions do."

A packed undercard in support of Crolla's meeting with Linares includes John Ryder defending his WBA International middleweight title against Jack Arnfield and Isaac Lowe defending his Commonwealth featherweight title against Tshifhiwa Munyai.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 and available from the Manchester Arena by logging on to: www.manchester-arena.com.