Home Boxing News Anthony Crolla planning fight in the States

Anthony Crolla planning fight in the States

Anthony Crolla

Former WBA lightweight Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla 33-6-3 (13) is looking for another shot at world championship glory after watching pound-for-pound stalwart Vasyl Lomachenko annex his old title from his old foe Jorge Linares on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old Mancunian lost his WBA 135-pound title to Linares by close points decision in 2016. In their rematch the following year the talented Venezuelan made some adjustments to beat Crolla again on points. This time, Linares was by scores of 118-109 across the board.

Crolla bounced back to defeat former world champion Ricky Burns and Edson Ramirez, both on points, and now believes he is ready for another crack at a world title. But with WBC champion Mikey Garcia and IBF titleholder Robert Easter Jr likely to fight a unification bout later this summer, while Lomachenko rumoured to be facing WBO kingpin Raymundo Beltran next, Crolla realises an opportunity may be hard to come by.

“That’s the situation now,” the WBA number three and WBC number five told Sky Sports. “I am waiting on news, but I want to and believe I can become a world champion again. It’s a tough division at the moment and I’m not sure what’s going to happen with Lomachenko, while Garcia is going to fight Easter Jr.

“Beltran is a good guy and we’ve sparred before, but it seems he’s the Ukrainian’s next challenge, so it’s all up in the air. I just want a shot and am happy to fight any of the champions.

“The WBC and WBA have me rated very highly so whoever I have to fight, I’ll be happy to go at it.”

Crolla was rumoured to be facing Luke Campbell next in a world-class domestic showdown, however that fight looks to be nixed after the WBC ordered a final eliminator between Campbell and Yvan Mendy.

Crolla is now looking stateside for his next opportunity.

“I’m hoping to get a final eliminator myself, I’m not too far away, but I should know more in a few weeks. Going to America is still a dream for me and I know I could take good numbers over there,” he said.

“So many people say they want a trip to the States and I’m more than happy to go if an opportunity came up – in fact, I’d jump at it!”