by Cliff Rold

After a string of mostly off years, lightweight is suddenly interesting again. A collection of rising potential stars and tested veterans has assembled and are beginning to sort each other out. That’s always going to mean good things for fight fans.

Today on AWE (2:30 PM EST/11:30 AM PST) should be a very good thing for fight fans.

In one corner we a superb talent whose boxing acumen tempts the eye to ignore sometimes fatal flaws. In the other corner stands a man who seems to have overachieved his way into a new career plateau. Put them together and this could be a dramatic battle in front of a noisy, enthusiastic crowd.

What’s not to like?

Let’s go to the report card.

The Ledger

Anthony Crolla
Age: 29
Title: WBA Lightweight (2015-Present, 1 Defense)
Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’8 ½
Weight: 134 ¼ lbs.
Hails from: Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Record: 31-4-3, 13 KO, 1 KOBY
Record in Major Title Fights: 2-0-1, 2 KO
Rankings: #2 (ESPN), #3 (Ring, Boxing Monthly, BoxRec), #5 (TBRB, BoxingScene)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: 2 (Gavin Rees UD12; Darleys Perez D12, KO5)
 
Vs.
 
Jorge Linares
Age: 31
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBC Featherweight (2007-08, 1 Defense); WBA Super Featherweight (2008-09, 1 Defense); WBC Lightweight (2014-15, 2 Defenses)
Height: 5’8
Weight: 134 lbs.
Hails from: Barinas, Venezuela
Record: 40-3, 27 KO, 3 KOBY
Record in Major Title Fights: 7-2, 7 KO, 2 KOBY
Rankings: #1 (ESPN, Ring, Boxing Monthly), #2 (TBRB, BoxingScene), #4 (BoxRec)
Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: 4 (Oscar Larios TKO10; Juan Carlos Salgado TKO by 1; Jesus Chavez RTD4; Antonio DeMarco TKO by 110
 
Grades

Pre-Fight: Speed – Crolla B; Linares B+
Pre-Fight: Power – Crolla B; Linares B+
Pre-Fight: Defense – Crolla B; Linares B
Pre-Fight: Intangibles – Crolla B+; Linares B+

When he defeated Oscar Larios for his first of three major titles, Linares became one of those guys that ‘pound-for-pound’ aficionados pegged as a man to watch. In the years since, through his ups and downs, Larios has shown flashes of what was so appealing. He has quality hand and foot speed, a sticking jab, and puts together picturesque combinations.

It’s what happens when fighters throw back that sometimes causes trouble. He was blasted out early by Salgado and Sergio Thompson. DeMarco endured a beating early only to slowly break him down in a war. For all his evident talent, the durability of Linares remains a nail biter every time he steps in the ring. While both men competing Saturday have been stopped, it is Linares who has shown that to be a bigger issue.

In the case of Crolla, his lone stoppage loss was arguably a hasty call. He came off the floor early against Derry Matthews in their first fight and was pressing the advantage when stunned in the sixth round. Crolla didn’t drop and still had his wits when the referee halted the action to Crolla’s disdain. Since a split decision loss in 2012, he’s unbeaten in ten fights with three draws.

One of those draws was widely decried. In his first title crack at Darleys Perez, Crolla appeared a clear winner. The decision was controversial enough for the WBA to order a scoring review and immediate return.

The way Crolla handled that rematch, and his lone defense, speak to how far he’s come as a fighter. He stopped Perez and then stopped rugged Ismael Barroso showing off the little things he’s picked up along the way. Crolla has always had good offensive skills but in the last couple years he’s matured into a complete fighter. He knows when to use his legs. He maintains a high guard but also moves his head more, improving his defenses.

He’ll need better defense here because Linares is going to touch him. If Crolla has been on a bit of a roll, so too has Linares. Linares has won nine straight and being on the road shouldn’t be an issue. The Venezuelan born Linares has fought in his home country sparingly. He was largely developed in Japan. In nine major title fights, he has competed in six different countries and only once in Venezuela.

For Linares to win here, he must use a slight advantage in speed and an edge in power to keep Crolla at range and away from his body. Crolla does good work downstairs. For Crolla to win, he has to approach the fight as a twelve round endeavor and force the issue, getting inside to land and outside of Linares’ countering range.

Crolla has shown good stamina and mental toughness. He was behind early against the heavy handed Barroso and just stayed within himself, slowly turning the fight in his direction. The same steady approach is his best shot here. Linares has to not only try to build a lead but also discourage Crolla from thinking he can come back.

The Pick

This looks on paper like a genuine 50-50 fight. Crolla perhaps isn’t as tested as Linares but Linares hasn’t passed all his tests to make that an issue. Having the fight in Manchester should be a boost to Crolla’s spirits but don’t expect it to make him reckless. All his title fights have been at home so far and he performs up to the moment. Look for Linares to win the early rounds, perhaps even scoring a knockdown, but finding himself unable to finish the show. Crolla will still be there, chipping away. In the second half of the fight, the durability of Linares becomes a factor one more time. The pick is Crolla on a late stoppage in what should be a heck of a fight.

Report Card and Staff Picks 2016: 34-11

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com