Manchester Arena 21-11-15
This was Anthony ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla’s chance to be crowned WBA world lightweight champion after missing out so narrowly in July.
Anthony ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla (29-4-3) vs Darleys Perez (32-1-1), WBA world lightweight title
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom sports had done well to get an immediate rematch lined up, giving Million Dollar Crolla a chance to leave no doubt in people’s minds that he should be the WBA world lightweight champion.
It was a cold night in Manchester, with a surprisingly low turnout. However, the crowd that were in attendance greeted the challenger Crolla to the ring with a rapturous reception. Perez entered the ring shortly afterwards to the usual unfortunate array of boos.
A misjudged minute silence then followed for the horrendous murders committed in Paris the previous week. There was no prior mention of the silence and many people simply didn’t realise that a silence was occurring. I certainly didn’t get the impression that the crowd was being intentionally disrespectful.
The fight started in a cagey fashion, both fighters feeling each other out. Crolla looked to have bulked up, looking muscular across the shoulders and arms, clearly evidencing the months of hard graft in the gym.
The first four rounds were very even. Perez missing on occasion, but neither fighter looking on top.
Round five and all of Crolla’s dreams came true. Late on in the round, pushing Perez back against the ropes, Crolla taps him with a right then lands a crunching left hook to the body. Perez shook his head and simply couldn’t recover, being defeated by the count.
Scenes of pure jubilation followed, tears from Crolla and Hearn, the crowd going crazy.
Next?
The next step will be an interesting one from Crolla. For me the tastiest prospect would be to fight the other Manchester lightweight champion in Terry Flanagan.
Crolla seems to have come so far from when I first saw him live. Being part of the highly successful Gallagher gym has done him wonders.
The future is certainly a million dollars for Crolla.
Tyrone Nurse (31-2-1) vs Chris Jenkins (16-0-1), Light-Welterweight British Title
I was looking to this one and admittedly had a change of opinion after watching it again on TV.
I was ring side for the first fight and scored the fight widely for Nurse, an opinion I still have. I was expecting more of the same on Saturday, but Jenkins started very well, looking fresher and sharper.
Jenkins landed a beauty in the fifth round and Nurse did well to beat the count.
I watched this fight from the stands and my first reaction, especially given the knock-down was that Jenkins had done enough. However, the judges, unanimously gave this one to Nurse.
On watching the replay the following day I must admit I agree with the judges. The speed and subtlety of some of Nurse’s work can only really be appreciated up close.
A good night’s work from both fighters.
Ryan Burnett (11-0-0) vs Jason Booth (38-13-0) British Bantamweight title
Nottingham’s Booth was fighting for a record breaking third British title in a third weight division, but it wasn’t to be.
Belfast’s Burnett put on a superb show, putting Booth down in the first and winning every round on every scorecard.
Burnett moves to 12-0-0, with 9 KOs. Surely one of the brightest prospects around.
Booth announced his retirement following the fight. All the best to one a British boxing’s most popular characters.
Isaac Lowe (11-0-0) vs Ryan Doyle (11-1-0), English Featherweight title
This was a tough, closely fought encounter, with an interesting rematch a strong possibility.
Both fighters had their moments throughout ten rounds, with each fighter getting the nod from one judge each, with the third scoring it even for a split draw decision.
Both prospects can come again.
Charlie Edwards (5-0-0) vs Phil Smith (6-1-0), English Flyweight title
Edwards is flying at flyweight. His progression had been rapid and at only 22 has a great deal left to give.
Edwards had Smith down in the sixth, with the fight being stopped later in the same round.
Certainly a fighter to keep a close eye on.
Best of the rest
Marcus Morrison had a tougher than expected night against Simone Lucas, taking the fight 58-57 on the referee’s card. Morrison has looked very impressive in his previous few outings. Probably one to put down to experience.
Brian Rose has a comfortable points victory (80-72) in a keep busy fight against Latvian journeyman Ruslans Pojonisevs and Liam Taylor stopped Imre Simon by TKO in round two.
Conclusion
A great victory for Manchester and more to come from Crolla.
