By Elliot Foster

Frank Warren has one eye on the future, despite making a lightweight world title clash between two of his own fighters.

The promoter revealed that he has sent an offer of £500,000 to WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla.

Warren, who was in Liverpool to promote the WBO title showdown between Terry Flanagan and Derry Mathews at the Echo Arena on February 13, confirmed that the offer was written to Crolla, and his promotional team of Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport, to face the winner.

Crolla, 28, stopped Darleys Pérez inside five rounds last month to claim the belt and Warren believes there is big money in a unification fight.

“A lot of people turned down the opportunity to fight Terry,” Warren said. “We made an offer of £500,000 to Anthony Crolla and that offer still stands.

“He came up with a very good quote after that last fight [against Darleys Pérez at Manchester Arena on November 21]. He said that politics shouldn’t top unification of the titles, so as far as we’re concerned, the winner of this fight will fight Anthony Crolla and he’ll get half-a-million pounds.

“We’ve given that offer in writing already, so let’s hope he’s as good as his word because he’s a nice lad.”

Warren echoes the public’s sentiments when talking about the manner in which the newly crowned 135lb champ conducts himself, but Crolla’s promotional stable-mate Kevin Mitchell –– who was previously handled by the Hall Of Fame promoter –– was also brought into the equation with regards to this fight after it was heard that he had turned down a similar offer to face Manchester’s Flanagan.

“We also offered the fight to Kevin Mitchell,” said Warren, "who decided he’d much rather not fight for a [legitimate world] title, but fight for the [WBA interim] title that Derry’s vacated.

“But we are where we are now, we have a fabulous fight [between Terry and Derry], so I can’t wait for it next year.

“In my time of life you don’t wait for time to pass by, but I can’t wait for this fight because I think it’s going to be a cracker."

Elliot Foster is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter @FreelanceFoz