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Anthony Crolla certainly knows a thing or two about the domestic lightweight division. The Manchester entertainer has compiled a superb ledger containing excellent names such as Willie Limond, Kieran Farrell and Gavin Rees.
Perhaps the name Crolla is fondly remembered for is his Liverpool rival, Derry Mathews, as the pair shared two fantastic brawls in what was a classic modern rivalry. With Mathews’ immediate focus on Driffield’s Curtis Woodhouse, Crolla fully believes that the September 21 showdown will provide plenty of explosions.
“This is one of the best fights of the year and one that I really can’t wait to watch,” beamed an excited Crolla. “The [Liverpool] Olympia is the best place for it because when that place is full it’s one of the best atmospheres in British boxing.
“The crowd there will make a lot of noise for Derry and even though it only holds about 1500 people, the way everyone is crammed in close to the ring – it’ll sound like about 5000 when these two are in the ring.”
A boxing scholar who is seriously well-educated on his 135lb peers, Crolla is in a better position than most to lend his opinion to boxing’s audience when discussing the potential outcome between Mathews and Woodhouse.
The former British champion is insistent that Mathews starts a deserved favourite but admits that the occasion in front of a loud, passionate crowd could certainly play into Woodhouse’s hands.
“If both fighters turn up 100 percent then there’s no way that Derry loses this fight. He’s had a better career, fought better guys and is more skilled all round.
“But he loves to entertain his fans and that could be his undoing because Curtis is suited to a tear-up and that could be the only way he forces the upset. If I was Curtis, I’d be looking to be putting pressure on Derry early on but without being reckless.
“Curtis has got to be smart otherwise there’s only one way this fight is going to go. I pick Derry to win but Curtis can definitely make it interesting.”
