By Miguel Rivera
WBA lightweight champion Jorge Linares (41-3, 27KOs) is looking to clean up the entire lightweight division, with an eye on potential fights at the junior welterweight limit of 140-pounds.
Last month, Linares traveled to the UK and won a twelve round decision over Anthony Crolla to capture the WBA title at the Manchester Arena.
Crolla's promoter Eddie Hearn has an immediate rematch clause in the wings, and they plan to have that rematch in February or March.
Crolla is looking forward to taking on Linares for a second time.
Crolla told Sky Sports: “I think it will be Linares next year, in February/March. It was a tough old fight, I’ll have a little rest and then we’ll do it again. I think you saw last night, the attendance and the turnout was amazing and hopefully we’ll get something similar if not better after the fight that was put on last night.”
Linares also holds the WBC Diamond title and will have to face WBC full champion Dejan Zlaticanin.
The Venezuelan boxer wants to clean out the entire lightweight division, but he's also open to the idea of getting very lucrative opportunities at junior welterweight.
"I've thought about going to 140 pounds, provided that a good opportunity, because you need take advantage of those opportunities, but today I want to take on all possible challenges and clean up the division. I feel that I'm going through my best moment as a fighter," Linares said to ESPN Deportes.
