Anthony Crolla: British fighter could move up to light-welterweight



Anthony Crolla will consider moving up a weight class as he prepares to pursue "big fights" following his rematch defeat by Jorge Linares.

Crolla was unable to win back the WBA lightweight title Linares took from him in September as the Venezuelan scored a comprehensive points win in Manchester.

After Saturday's bout, promoter Eddie Hearn raised the prospect of Crolla moving to light-welterweight.

"With the notice I'd certainly grow into that," said the Englishman, 30.

"That's certainly an option. Physically I feel strong. I was as big as Linares in there tonight."

A move up in weight opens up the possibility of Crolla facing the winner of Ricky Burns' unification bout with Julius Indongo on 15 April.

Sporting stitches above his left eye, Crolla told reporters he had aggravated a rib injury picked up in training in the third round against Linares, with trainer Joe Gallagher nodding when his fighter was asked if the rib was broken.

Linares could now face WBC lightweight champion, American Mikey Garcia, while the IBF belt in the division is held by fellow American Robert Easter and Manchester's Terry Flanagan holds the WBO crown.

"I'm going to have a break with my family now," added Crolla. "I feel like I'm improving in camps still. I believe there will be plenty of options and fights out there for us and I still want to be involved in those big fights. I think I've had a pretty tough two years."

Hearn added: "Ricky Burns could unify the division on 15 April, I wouldn't rule out the option of moving up to fight the winner."

Crolla weighed in at a fraction under the 135lbs lightweight limit before his meeting with Linares, so a move to the 140lbs division looks physically within reach.

Scotland's Burns has also made similar weight jumps, winning a world title at super-featherweight, moving on to do the same at lightweight and now holds the WBA crown at light-welterweight.

Indongo holds the IBF strap, while highly-rated American Terence Crawford - undefeated in 30 fights -holds the division's other titles.

Anthony Crolla: British fighter could move up to light-welterweight - BBC Sport