Lightweight contender Willie Limond admitted he knew from round one that his British title challenge against Anthony Crolla was doomed. The champion dominated a compelling contest at the Ravenscraig Sports Centre in Motherwell on Friday night and at the end, the 120-108, 120-108 and 120-109 scorecard in favor of the 25-year-old Mancunian confirmed an impressive first defence of his title.

Limond, 32, was despondent about the margin of defeat but had nothing but praise for his opponent.

"It was an uphill battle straight away," said the Glaswegian. "It was a tough fight. Crolla was really good, I have to give him his due and that was it. He was better than me. He dictated the fight and to be fair it was one-sided. I was gutted (with the scorecard) but there was nothing there last night. I don't know what it was with me.

"But I am taking nothing away from him, he was better than me and won the fight. Crolla is a good fighter and he can go far in the game."

Crolla's success built upon his blossoming reputation with some claims a shot at another Scot, WBO interim lightweight champion Ricky Burns, could be in the pipeline.

While Crolla admitted he would welcome such a fight, for now he was happy just to come through the first defence of his title.

"I'm very happy to get 12 rounds under my belt for the first time," he told Box Nation.

"I'm only 25, I'm still learning and I was up against a good fighter.

"Willie was very brave, but there were times when I probably should have put him out but I am learning.

"Against a fighter who people thought it was a 50-50 shot, I'm very happy."

Tags: Anthony Crolla , Willie Limond , Crolla-Limond , Crolla vs Limond