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Anthony Crolla has targeted winning a Lonsdale belt outright before becoming world lightweight champion.
The popular Mancunian makes the second defence of his British crown against Derry Mathews (29-6-1) at Oldham Sports Centre on Saturday night (April 21).
If Crolla (23-2) beats his Liverpool rival he’ll be just one notch away from claiming a Lonsdale belt for keeps.
Hatton Promotions star Crolla, 25, said: “The Lonsdale belt is my absolute pride and joy. It means the world to me and my family are so proud of it.
To have one for keeps on the mantel piece means the world to me. I always said when I came into boxing it was my ambition to win a Lonsdale belt.
I boxed on an amateur show when I was a kid and saw one. Ever since then it has been a target.”
Crolla knows the world title scene is wide open. The WBA belt is vacant and Scot Ricky Burns is among the other champions.
Anthony added: “I am not distracted by talk of world title fights because the fight I am preparing for is the most important. If the next one goes wrong against Mathews – talk of European and world title fights down the line go out of the window.”
Other Contests: Jon Lewis Dickinson v Matty Askin (10×3 cruiserweight), Stephen Foster Jr v Jose Antonio Elizabeth (6×3 super-featherweight), Jazza Dickins v Yuri Voronin (6×3 super-bantamweight), Lucas Brown v Paul Butlin (6 rounds heavyweight), Adam Little v Chris Jenkinson (6×3 welterweight), Tommy Stubbs v Gavin Reid (4×3 bantamweight), Ryan Doyle v Selected Opponent (4×3 featherweight).
Boxing starts at 6.15pm and tickets are on sale. They are priced at £35 general admission, £55 floor seating, £75 ringside and £100 VIP Ringside. You can buy by calling the Hatton Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com
