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Anthony Crolla looks for revenge against Jorge Linares

Anthony Crolla attempts to win back the WBA lightweight boxing world title in front of a home cro...



Anthony Crolla looks for reven...
Golf

Anthony Crolla looks for revenge against Jorge Linares

Anthony Crolla attempts to win back the WBA lightweight boxing world title in front of a home crowd in Manchester on Saturday evening.

He's taking on Jorge Linares in a rematch of the fight he lost in September, where the Venezuelan ran out winner on points.

Speaking to ahead of the fight, Crolla says victory tonight would outdo anything he's achieved so far.

"It'd be the absolute highlight and peak of a roller-coaster career," he said. "I thought it couldn't get much higher when I won the world title and then I defended it.

"But to win my belts back against a class fighter like Jorge Linares would be the pinnacle."

It's two years since Crolla fractured his skull and broke an ankle after a burglar hit him on the head with a concrete slab.

Promoter Eddie Hearn tells says losing a world title's nothing in comparison.

"He's used to coming back from adversity and he's used to being the underdog," Hearn said ahead of the fight. "I think that's given him a bit of edge in this fight.

"Last time he came as the champion will the adulation of the people. He's almost achieved a lifelong ambition already. Now, he wants his belts back."

Meanwhile, former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton says it'll be an upset if Crolla wins back the lightweight title tonight.

Hatton told Sky Sports News there's still a good chance of a British victory.

"It is a tough ask and he gave it his all in the last fight," Hatton said. "I think the last fight took more out of Anthony than it did Linares.

"But if it's anything to go by, we thought David Haye was going to beat Tony Bellew, didn't we? We all got that wrong. There's no reason why Anthony can't go and beat Linares here."

Also in action tonight is Ireland's Katie Taylor. She competes in her fourth professional this evening when she takes on former world title challenger, Milena Koleva.

Katie Taylor on the scales during the weigh-in at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Manchester. Image: Martin Rickett / PA Wire/PA Images

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