Home Boxing News Anthony Crolla vs Ricky Burns Fight Preview

Anthony Crolla vs Ricky Burns Fight Preview

Anthony Crolla and Ricky Burns will face off at the Manchester Arena on the 7th of October. Both former world title holders and both seeking to put their previous fight behind them with both boxers coming off defeats.

Both men have a lot to prove, with the both of them more confident than ever with Crolla saying that his opponent Burns and himself are better than ever. Both boxers have countlessly expressed their respect for one another in the media, priding themselves on their absence of trash talk saying that it isn’t required to market their fight, which is definitely refreshing to hear, especially in this day and age of boxing. A win for either of them could put them back in the territory of a world title while on the other hand, a defeat will be a substantial rock in the road if not career ending.

Anthony Crolla made his professional debut in 2006 and went on to pick up English, British and world titles. He suffered a loss to his WBA lightweight title back in 2016 to Venezuelan, Jorge Linares by a unanimous decision. He did, however, have his chance to avenge his defeat and pick up his title back from Linares earlier this year with a replay but the contest ended with the same outcome as the previous fight in a unanimous decision, not without Crolla’s strongest efforts.

Anthony Crolla’s first title fight occurred in 2010 for the English Super Featherweight title against Andy Morris. He won the fight by TKO in the 7th round of the scheduled 10. He later picked up the British Lightweight title in his very next fight. In his way of the title was John Watson who he knocked out in the 9th round. He then lost the title a year later on his second defense before picking up his second English title, this time at lightweight. Crolla then fought Gavin Rees for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title. Rees started the fight firmer, leading the first 2 rounds but Crolla was able to get into the fight and went on to produce enough from that point to gain the victory and the title. Next up for Crolla, was the WBA lightweight title against Darleys Pérez in 2015. The fight with Pérez ended with a draw, forcing a replay later in the year in which Crolla won by knockout in the 5th round to pick up the title. His first defence was to Ismael Barroso in 2011 who he knocked out to keep his title. When talking about the fight and his opponent, Crolla said “All I want to do is be involved in big fights and Ricky Burns is a three-weight world champion. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”

Burns lost a world title of his own earlier, in the WBA light-welterweight title, this year to Julius Indongo while also fighting for the IBF and IBO titles. Ever since his debut back in 2001, Burns has seen success at multiple weight divisions, becoming the first Scottish boxer to hold world titles in three different weight divisions and is respected as one of the finest British boxers of recent history.

After winning his first 13 fights, Burns had the chance to pick up European, British and Commonwealth light featherweight titles from Alex Arthur. Arthur came out on top over the full 12 rounds to keep his titles. Burns had a second chance to pick up the British super light featherweight title a year later, winning both of his bouts in between. He faced Carl Johanneson and the fight needed to go the full distance to determine a winner, with the decision going in favour of Johanneson. He went on to win the 20 fights which included winning the Commonwealth super-featherweight title, the WBO super-featherweight title, and the WBO lightweight title. He lost his WBO title to Terence Crawford over the full 12 rounds before picking up the WBO International lightweight and the WBA light-welterweight titles. Burns will be looking to defeat Crolla and get on track towards a world title once again.

Most regard this match up as a genuine, 50-50 fight and it is definitely hard to argue with that. It’s clear to say, if anybody possesses the upper hand in this contest, it has got to be Burns who has experience, height and reach all on his side. Ahead of the fight, Crolla has a record of 31-6-3 while his competitor, Burns, has a record of 46-6-1. In world title bouts, Burns has a record of 9 wins, 2 losses and a single draw and Crolla’s record in world title fights is 2-1-1 with both of his victories in such fights coming by knockout. Anticipation for the fight keeps growing and growing and the atmosphere on the night promises to be electric with the fight attracting the local support of Crolla and traveling Burn’s supporters who will all be in full voice cheering on their man.

None are more excited than the fighters themselves, who have gone on record to express their excitement with Crolla saying “I can’t wait for the fight. It’s going to be some night. We can’t wait for it and the winner, I’m sure, will go on to fight for a world title again.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said “What a fight between two great warriors, both Anthony and Ricky are in similar places in the careers and they know that this absolute must-win. Knowing these two like I do this is going to be a fight until the finishing bell with neither taking a backward step. It’s an all-British super fight between two great world champions.”

One thing Eddie is sure to be correct about is that the fight is sure to hear the final bell. Both fighters are not exactly known to KO their enemies in fights often, although they are certainly capable and that has been proven in the past, they, for the most part, earn their victories via beating their opposition over the long run. Expect a war right from the outset from these two in what will 100% be a memorable and entertaining fight night in Manchester. This will be Crolla’s 6th time-fighting at the arena in a row and Burns’s first appearance to the venue. In his hometown and being familiar with the venue, Crolla has the home advantage in the fight although plenty of traveling fans of Burns are expected, with a record of 5-2-1 there, it remains to be seen how much of an impact that will be. Both boxers have given us some incredible nights of boxing throughout the years of the sport and hopefully, a lot more is in store for the fans, from both men no matter the result of the fight.