By Ben Jacobs
Golden Boy Promotions respected matchmaker Roberto Díaz has arrived in the United Kingdom full of belief that his charge, Jorge Linares, will repeat his victory over Anthony Crolla in their intriguing rematch this Saturday.
Speaking to BoxingScene.com on Monday night from Manchester, Díaz expressed his admiration for Crolla but warned that the Venezuela’s Linares is ready to produce his best performance yet.
“There’s tremendous respect for Anthony Crolla, for everything that he’s achieved in his career. Do I expect a better Anthony Crolla? When you get what you got last September, a kid with a lot of will, a lot of desire, with that never say die attitude, conditioning and heart. Can you get a bigger heart when you already have it? Can you get in better condition when you already have top condition? Not really. Can he watch the video and see some of the mistakes? That can always happen. On the other hand, Jorge was coming off inactivity, a broken hand and now he doesn’t have that. You will see the best Jorge you have seen thus far, and I said that last time.”
It is understood that training camp in Japan and subsequently in Las Vegas with Ismael Salas went according to plan without the reoccurrence of Linares’ previous hand troubles.
“Everything went well this time around, no injuries, sparring has been better this time around, everything has fallen into place,” explained the amiable Californian.
“We are not overconfident, there’s a lot of respect for Crolla but it’s a question of what you can bring.
“Jorge had dinner tonight, after training today he was 135.5lbs, so he’s made weight. Last time, even though weight wasn’t an issue, the mind plays tricks. But now he knows the hard work has been done, he can eat, have breakfast.”
Always considered to be one of boxing’s most talented exponents, Linares’ perceived fragilities have by some in the sport believed to be his chin and tendency to cut, something which was not evident in the first fight with Crolla. Díaz believes maturity is what led to his career best display last time out.
“I met him when he was 17 years old in Japan, ever since I saw the kid I saw tremendous talent,” Roberto beamed.
“But there was something missing, throughout the years we saw the talent was there but people said he was fragile, he can’t take a punch, he gets cut easy, so something was missing.
“Today you add maturity, hunger and desire, which came with time. He’s married, he has a baby, responsibility and I think now he’s at a point where on Saturday we’ll see the best of him and, he wants the historic fights that can put him in the books as one of the best.
“Crolla did get hurt badly in the sixth round of the first fight but Linares was maybe concerned about his hand, so he pulled back.
“This time around he’s not coming off a broken hand, he knows he can hurt him. With all due respect to Anthony, I am predicting a knockout. I am predicting that because of how I see his preparation.”
