By Terence Dooley

Manchester’s Anthony ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla, 17-2 (6), has recently been touted as the ideal opponent for British super-featherweight boss Gary Sykes, who defeated Crolla in a title eliminator last May.  Both sides have expressed an interest in the clash, with Team Sykes confident that a Sykes-Crolla clash would give ‘Sykesy’ – who has an impressive 16-0 (4) slate – an ideal opportunity to showcase his skills before the Dewsbury faithful.

Crolla, though, is adamant that a return fixture would see him correct the mistakes made in the first encounter and pick up the Lonsdale belt in the process.  “I hope to get Sykes at some point as his trainer said it could happen in Dewsbury, his hometown, and I’d be really confident of winning if I can get that fight – it would be a different result,” declared the 23-year-old when speaking about a return with Sykes.
 
“I’ve watched a lot of Gary recently; he did well against [Kevin] O’Hara but I saw a lot of mistakes that I could capitalise on.  I’ve watched the first fight a few times and I see myself doing so many things wrong but still making it a good fight.  I got beat on points by the better man on the night but this is a different me.  I’ve come on a lot over this year working with Joe [Gallagher], we’ve studied Sykes a few times and seen where I can take advantage of his mistakes.”

The 130lb division is red-hot at the moment.  There are the standouts, for example potential world title challenger Ricky Burns and British boss Skyes; up-and-comers like Jon Kays and Chris Male; as well as the odd fighter moving up or down in weight – step forward Andy Morris, Gary Buckland and Scott Lawton.  Should the fights get made, always a big ‘If’ in British boxing, the division could throw up some classics clashes over the course of the next few years.

“Whoever”, insisted Crolla when asked whom he would like to face next, “I will fight anyone in the super-featherweight division, there has been talk of me and Andy [Morris], Scott Lawton has mentioned a fight with me and Gary Buckland is at the weight, it is a good division.  I believe I’m in the mix.  I had a good win over [Michael] Brodie and have improved a lot recently.  I am willing to fight anyone else in that mix.”

Last year’s third-round stoppage win over Brodie gave Anthony the chance to shine in front of the Sky TV cameras, his last two contests have seen him get the rounds needed to ensure that he is performing at his optimum level ahead of a title charge, as the fighter confirmed when analysing his shutout points wins over Jason Nesbitt, four rounds, and Sid Razak, six stanzas.

“I performed pretty well,” smiled the 2006 ABA champion.  “Joe was happy, and I’ve been working on other things since those fights.  I got the rounds that I needed and they are rounds that will help me develop into these ten, twelve round fights.  Joe puts me through the training so if he thinks I’m ready for titles then I’m ready.  I’m in a good place right now.”

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