Linares vs Crolla 2

[Master]

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

[Beanz]

Lee on Sky's apparent Bias

https://www.balls.ie/boxing/andy-lee-361907

[TitoFan]

Just watched the fight myself. I thought Paulie's comment halfway through the fight on Crolla's "hippety-hop" was uncannily similar to my own thoughts. Definitely not busy enough through the first few rounds. But huge kudos to Crolla for pressing the action after getting dropped by that bug uppercut halfway through the fight. Unfortunately, not enough firepower to bother Linares. Good fight.

[Spicoli]

Didn't watch until late last night but that was an absolute paint job. As mentioned prior master-class is all that comes to mind. Was surprised how heavy Crolla looked on his feet even from early rounds. By the time his feet caught up and he set, Linares was turning him in knots with punches from literally every angle. Crolla did well to rebound from hard KD and I gave him the 8th round. The 1st time he actually managed to trap Linares in a corner and get off, but that was his bright spot and was just shredded late on. Have to say that Linares, and he arguably looked like one of the best boxers in the sport there, but he does fight with some bluff late. You can see him widening with punches and he almost looked like he was carrying Crolla at points late 10th and 11th. He's very conscious of his history but so much smarter now for it. Great boxing display pure and simple.