Anthony Crolla

Anthony Crolla (born 16 November 1986) is a British professional boxer. He held the WBA lightweight title from 2015 to 2016, as well as the English super-featherweight title from 2010 to 2012; the British lightweight title from 2011 to 2012; and the English lightweight title from 2012 to 2013.

Professional career

Early career

Crolla made his professional contest on 14 October 2006 when he scored a points win over Abdul Rashid at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Five more fights throughout the rest of the year and into 2007 resulted in five more victories giving Crolla an unbeaten record of 6–0 at the end of his first full year as a professional. Crolla begun 2008 with a win in Germany on 19 January beating Tomasz Kwiecien and followed this up with another victory on 14 March, traveling to the Old Trafford Stadium to beat journeyman Steve Gethin. On 5 April however, in his third fight of the year so far, Crolla lost his unbeaten record to Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi at the Bolton Arena, losing on points over 8 rounds. Two fights in September resulted in Crolla returning to winning ways against Robin Deakin on the 6th and then traveling to the York Hall in Bethnal Green on the 26th to meet Al Hamidi once more and to gain a revenge win over six rounds. Crolla finished 2008 with further victories over Carl Allen in October and Jon Baguley in December finishing the year with a record of 12–1.

Career from 2009–2011

Fights with Sykes, Brodie and Morris

Crolla begun 2009 on 14 March with a repeat victory over former opponent Carl Allen and then on 29 May took part in his most significant bout to date, a British title eliminator at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke. The fight resulted in a second career defeat for Crolla as he lost a ten-round points decision to Gary Sykes. On 25 September he returned to ring and scored another victory over an opponent he had already met, Jon Baguley and then on 27 November met and defeated the former world champion Michael Brodie who had returned to the ring following a long lay off. He continued his winning run in 2010 with victories over Jason Nesbitt, Sid Razak and Chris Riley before on 2 October challenging Andy Morris for the English super featherweight title. The fight at the De Vere Whites hotel in Bolton resulted in a 7th round stoppage for Crolla and a first career title.

British lightweight champion

Crolla stepped up a weight division when on 12 February 2011 he challenged John Watson for the vacant British lightweight title. Described as an "early contender for fight of the year" Crolla won the fight in the 9th round after scoring a 9th-round knockout. Describing his move up a weight division after the fight Crolla said "I knew I'd be strong enough at lightweight, but I didn't know I'd be that strong. I'm in with strong kids in the gym all the time and they say my strength is underrated. But even I couldn't believe how strong I was." On 21 April 2012 Crolla lost his British Lightweight Title to 28-year-old Liverpudlian Derry Matthews at the Oldham Sports Centre. Matthews knocked Crolla down in the 3rd round, and the fight was eventually stopped with 4 seconds remaining in the 6th round.

Prize Fighter

In September 2012 Crolla entered the Prize Fighter tournament beating Stephen Jennings in the quarter finals in what many felt was the best display of the night. Crolla reached the semi-final stage, losing a very close points decision that could have gone either way to Gary Sykes.

Crolla vs. Farrell

Kieran Farrell was at the time a young up and coming prospect that had beaten the 14 opponents put before him. His new promoter Dave Coldwell fancied his fighters chances against Crolla, feeling he may be on the slide. Crolla beat Farrell; just after the final bell Farrell collapsed and was rushed to hospital. He had suffered a brain injury during the contest and would no longer be able to box.

Career from 2013–2014

Crolla vs. Matthews II

The rematch took place and the fight ended in what was as clear a draw as you could expect. The fight started with Crolla being very cautious and allowing Matthews to score without much reply. The middle rounds were closer and Crolla took the later rounds.

WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title

On 30 June 2013, Crolla upset former WBA light-welterweight champion Gavin Rees with a majority decision at the Bolton Arena in Bolton. The judges scored it 115-113 and 116-113 to Crolla, with one scoring it 115-115.

World title cancellation

Crolla was scheduled to fight Richar Abril of Cuba for the WBA world lightweight title in January 2015.

This fight was cancelled after Crolla suffered a broken ankle and a fractured skull during a burglary. Crolla confronted two burglars who were raiding a neighbour's house. Crolla was able to catch one of the intruders, but was then attacked by the other with a lump of concrete. Derry Matthews was picked to replace Crolla, but instead fought Tony Luis, who took the fight on four days notice, winning the interim WBA lightweight title.

World lightweight champion

Crolla vs. Perez

Crolla was crowned world champion when he defeated WBA lightweight champion Darleys Perez with a fifth round stoppage. The stoppage came after a bodyshot crumpled Perez to the canvas. This was a rematch after their first fight ended in a controversial draw in July 2015.

Crolla vs. Barroso

Crolla made his first defence of his WBA lightweight title against mandatory challenger Ismael Barroso at the Manchester Arena on 7 May. Barroso displayed his punch power in a chilling knockout win over Kevin Mitchell in December 2015. Crolla finished the fight with a body shot, retaining the WBA lightweight title. Crolla was behind on all three judges scorecards (56–58, 55–59 twice).

Crolla vs. Linares

On 15 June it was announced on Sky Sports that a deal had been made for Crolla to fight WBC 'Diamond' champion Jorge Linares (40–3. 27 KOs) on 24 September at the Manchester Arena. Crolla's WBA world lightweight title will also be at stake as well as the Ring Magazine world championship. Crolla, who was named Ring Magazine's Most Inspirational fighter of 2015, said it would be 'a dream come true' if he can beat Linares and claim the Ring Magazine title. In front of the hometown crowd, Crolla was rocked in round 6 following a right hook as the fight went the distance. The judges scored the fight 115-114, 117-111 and 115-113 in favour of Linares. This was Crolla's first loss in 10 fights and regarded by many a close contest filled with action throughout. An immediate rematch was discussed post fight.

Crolla vs. Linares II

Reports in early December suggested a rematch could possibly take place in Manchester on 25 March 2017. The winner of the rematch would then be ordered to fight the winner of the Dejan Zlaticanin vs. Mikey Garcia, due to take place January, in a unification fight. All three titles would be at stake in the rematch, with Eddie Hearn due to make an announcement in 2017. An official announement was made on 4 January 2017, for the fight take place at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, a city which Linares said was open to returning to. The WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring magazine world lightweight titles would be at stake. The fight would be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK and on 24 January, Showtime announced they would cover the fight in the United States.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
39 fights	31 wins	5 losses
By knockout	13	1
By decision	18	4
Draws	3

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
40	N/A	N/A	Jorge Linares	N/A	– (12)	25 Mar 2017	Manchester Arena, Manchester, England	For WBA and The Ring lightweight titles
39	Loss	31–5–3	Jorge Linares	UD	12	24 Sep 2016	Manchester Arena, Manchester, England	Lost WBA lightweight title; For vacant The Ring lightweight title
38	Win	31–4–3	Ismael Barroso	KO	7 (12), 1:31	7 May 2016	Manchester Arena, Manchester, England	Retained WBA lightweight title
37	Win	30–4–3	Darleys Pérez	KO	5 (12), 2:30	21 Nov 2015	Manchester Arena, Manchester, England	Won WBA lightweight title
36	Draw	29–4–3	Darleys Pérez	MD	12	18 Jul 2015	Manchester Arena, Manchester, England	For WBA lightweight title
35	Win	29–4–2	Gyorgy Mizsei Jr.	PTS	6	15 Nov 2014	3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
34	Draw	28–4–2	Gamaliel Díaz	TD	3 (12), 3:00	13 Sep 2014	Phones 4u Arena, Manchester, England	Retained WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title; TD after Díaz sustained a cut from an accidental head clash
33	Win	28–4–1	John Murray	TKO	10 (12), 2:20	19 Apr 2014	Phones 4u Arena, Manchester, England	Retained WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
32	Win	27–4–1	Stephen Foster	RTD	6 (12), 3:00	23 Nov 2013	Phones 4u Arena, Manchester, England	Retained WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
31	Win	26–4–1	Gavin Rees	MD	12	28 Jun 2013	Bolton Arena, Bolton, England	Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
30	Draw	25–4–1	Derry Mathews	SD	12	30 Mar 2013	Echo Arena, Liverpool, England	For vacant Commonwealth lightweight title
29	Win	25–4	Kieran Farrell	UD	10	7 Dec 2012	Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England	Won vacant English lightweight title
28	Loss	24–4	Gary Sykes	SD	3	6 Oct 2012	Olympia, Liverpool, England	Prizefighter 26: lightweight semi-final
27	Won	24–3	Stephen Jennings	UD	3	6 Oct 2012	Olympia, Liverpool, England	Prizefighter 26: lightweight quarter-final
26	Loss	23–3	Derry Mathews	TKO	6 (12), 2:57	21 Apr 2012	Sports Centre, Oldham, England	Lost British lightweight title
25	Win	23–2	Willie Limond	UD	12	25 Nov 2011	Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell, Scotland	Retained British lightweight title
24	Win	22–2	Juan Montiel	SD	8	17 Sep 2011	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US
23	Win	21–2	Herve De Luca	TKO	1 (10), 2:59	18 Jun 2011	Robin Park Arena, Wigan, England
22	Win	20–2	John Watson	TKO	9 (12), 2:35	12 Feb 2011	Olympia, Liverpool, England	Won vacant British lightweight title
21	Win	19–2	Andy Morris	TKO	7 (10), 2:51	2 Oct 2010	De Vere Whites Hotel, Bolton, England	Won vacant English super-featherweight title
20	Win	18–2	Chris Riley	PTS	6	16 Jul 2010	Bolton Arena, Bolton, England
19	Win	17–2	Sid Razak	PTS	6	16 Jul 2010	Fit City, Broughton, England
18	Win	16–2	Jason Nesbitt	PTS	4	19 Feb 2010	Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent, England
17	Win	15–2	Michael Brodie	TKO	3 (8), 3:00	27 Nov 2009	Robin Park Arena, Wigan, England
16	Win	14–2	John Baguley	PTS	4	25 Sep 2009	Velodrome, Manchester, England
15	Loss	13–2	Gary Sykes	PTS	10	29 May 2009	Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent, England
14	Win	13–1	Carl Allen	PTS	6	14 Mar 2009	MEN Arena, Manchester, England
13	Win	12–1	John Baguley	PTS	4	12 Dec 2008	Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England
12	Win	11–1	Carl Allen	PTS	6	10 Oct 2008	Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, England
11	Win	10–1	Youssef Al Hamidi	PTS	6	26 Sep 2008	York Hall, London, England
10	Win	9–1	Robin Deakin	PTS	4	6 Sep 2008	MEN Arena, Manchester, England
9	Loss	8–1	Youssef al-Hamidi	PTS	8	5 Apr 2008	Bolton Arena, Bolton, England
8	Win	8–0	Steve Gethin	PTS	6	14 Mar 2008	Old Trafford, Manchester, England
7	Win	7–0	Tomasz Kwiecien	KO	5 (6), 1:40	19 Jan 2008	Burg-Wächter Castello, Düsseldorf, Germany
6	Win	6–0	Daniel Thorpe	RTD	2 (6), 3:00	8 Dec 2007	Bolton Arena, Bolton, England
5	Win	5–0	Johnny Greaves	TKO	3 (6), 1:08	6 Oct 2007	Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England
4	Win	4–0	Neil McQuade	TKO	1 (4), 2:15	31 May 2007	Old Trafford, Manchester, England
3	Win	3–0	Eduards Krauklis	PTS	4	10 Mar 2007	Olympia, Liverpool, England
2	Win	2–0	Ariel Krasnopolski	TKO	3 (4), 1:57	9 Dec 2006	ExCeL, London, England
1	Win	1–0	Abdul Rashid	PTS	4	14 Oct 2006	MEN Arena, Manchester, England	Professional debut