Anthony Crolla Tells Terry Flanagan To Go His Own Way

By Terence Dooley

Manchester’s Anthony Crolla (31-4-3, 13 KOs) has told city rival Terry Flanagan to concentrate on his own career rather than pinning all his hopes on an all-Manchester showdown.

Crolla successfully defended his WBA World lightweight title by stopping Ismael Barroso (KO 7) in May and now has a fight against Jorge Linares lined up at the Manchester Arena on September 27—The Ring title belt will be on the line in that one.

The 29-year-old has therefore put a unification with WBO holder Flanagan on the backburner until he has taken care of business, he advised “Turbo” to do the same.

“I retained my title against Barroso and less than 24 hours after that fight I was getting called out,” stated Crolla when speaking the Manchester Evening News.

“I like Terry and Steve Wood [Flanagan's manager], but I didn't understand why they were calling me out when they had already had a fight lined up for the Tyson Fury bill on July 9.

“My promoter Eddie Hearn contacted Steve Wood about making the fight and then Eddie said he got a legal letter stopping him from speaking direct to Terry's manager.  Eddie wanted to make a counter offer but when he got the legal letter it became difficult as they weren't allowed to speak.  We were also in discussions about making the Linares fight and Terry's team tried to get that fight too, but he has decided to fight me.”

He added: “I'm not having any digs, that's just the truth and how it is, so I'm looking forward to fighting Linares.”

In the meantime, Flanagan (30-0, 12 early) meets Mzonke Fana in Cardiff on Saturday night, his third defence of the title, and will hope to line up a spot on the rescheduled Fury-Klitschko rematch in the fall.

For Crolla, though, it is all about Linares.  He said: “Everything is happening so fast so I'm just enjoying the ride and the momentum is rolling and rolling.  That's why I want these big fights.  After my last few fights some people may have thought I would have a soft defence, but I didn't think it would be right.

“The Ring Magazine title is so prestigious and you can't put a price on winning it, it's something you'll always be remembered for.  After the first Darleys Perez fight I thought we wouldn't top it, then when I won the title in the rematch people would say I'll never top that, but I think last time out against Barroso we did.  Winning on September 24 will probably top it once again.  I don't know where this journey is going to stop but I'm certainly enjoying the ride at the moment.”

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