By Elliot Foster

Eddie Hearn has confirmed that an offer is on the table for Anthony Crolla to face the winner of the WBO lightweight title fight between Terry Flanagan and Derry Mathews.

Manchester’s Flanagan is set to defend his title against Mathews, from Liverpool, at the Echo Arena on February 13.

The promoter of the pair, Frank Warren, told media last week that contact had been made with the team of WBA champ Crolla regarding a potential unification showdown.

And Hearn’s understanding of an offer being received by the self-managed 28-year-old corroborates Warren’s claims.

“We made an offer of £500,000 to Anthony Crolla [to fight Terry Flanagan in his next defence,” Warren said, “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.”

It is, however, thought that the communication between the camps is that Crolla would get half-a-million pounds for a fight against the winner of the fight between Flanagan –– who is from the same city as Crolla –– and Mathews, who has been in with the New Moston man twice.

Hearn has responded to the comments, which were made on Thursday, in an interview with Kugan Cassius of iFL TV.

He said: “As I understand, there has been an offer [from Queensberry Promotions] of half-a-million [pounds] to fight the winner of Derry [Mathews] and Terry [Flanagan].”

But while Hearn acknowledged that there was substance to Warren’s claims, he did say that it would be unlikely to happen.

“As everybody knows, Frank especially because [Derry Mathews] pulled out of the [Ismael] Barroso fight [for the WBA interim title] and they knew the ruling from the WBA that Anthony Crolla must fight the winner of Barroso against [Kevin] Mitchell.

“That’s Anthony Crolla’s next fight, so it can be a million pounds, it doesn’t really matter. If it is Kevin Mitchell that wins, and it is a really tough fight against Barroso, then that money’s not enough.

“If it’s Barroso that wins and there’s any way to have a unification without fighting Barroso, we may be in touch with them."

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