Anthony Crolla vs Jorge Linares

According to Joe Ghallagher this is the fight they are chasing, though we should take it with a pinch of salt as its most likely a negotiating tactic for potential Flanagan fight. Nevertheless its an intruiging fight between two of the top 135lbers in the world. Linares is very skilled, but vulnerable, whereas Crolla is solid but maybe remains untested at the very top level. I think this would be a great fight. Potential for Linares to trap Crolla in that high guard for long periods, but also for Crolla to catch Linares at points during the fight. Crolla (31(13kos)-4(1ko)-3 ): http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/c/c6/Anthony_Crolla.jpg/200px-Anthony_Crolla.jpg 29 years old 5'8" height 67" reach Linares (40(27kos)-3(3kos)-0) http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/0/02/Linares.Jorge.jpg/200px-Linares.Jorge.jpg 30 years old 5'8" height 69" reach Who ya got? :boxing: Why does it have to be a negotiating ploy? Matchroom brought Linares in to fight Kevin Mitchell for the Brook-Gavin supershow, Linares is a world-rated top-5 lightweight fighter, you can go back to the Manchester Arena and do sizable business with Crolla-Linares, and things keep moving forward toward further title unification (Linares is WBC 135 emeritus champ, and the Barthelemy-Bey winner would be IBF 135 champ) It's not like the Flanagan fight is going anywhere, tbf; Matchroom continuing to build up Crolla puts the onus on Frank Warren to continue to build up Terry Flanagan or admit what it is (that Flanagan, though a top fighter, doesn't have the standing to negotiate much for the fight).

According to Joe Ghallagher this is the fight they are chasing, though we should take it with a pinch of salt as its most likely a negotiating tactic for potential Flanagan fight. Nevertheless its an intruiging fight between two of the top 135lbers in the world. Linares is very skilled, but vulnerable, whereas Crolla is solid but maybe remains untested at the very top level. I think this would be a great fight. Potential for Linares to trap Crolla in that high guard for long periods, but also for Crolla to catch Linares at points during the fight. Crolla (31(13kos)-4(1ko)-3 ): http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/c/c6/Anthony_Crolla.jpg/200px-Anthony_Crolla.jpg 29 years old 5'8" height 67" reach Linares (40(27kos)-3(3kos)-0) http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/0/02/Linares.Jorge.jpg/200px-Linares.Jorge.jpg 30 years old 5'8" height 69" reach Who ya got? :boxing: He is not going to ever fight him, Look at Liam Smith next oppoenent he approved it

According to Joe Ghallagher this is the fight they are chasing, though we should take it with a pinch of salt as its most likely a negotiating tactic for potential Flanagan fight. Nevertheless its an intruiging fight between two of the top 135lbers in the world. Linares is very skilled, but vulnerable, whereas Crolla is solid but maybe remains untested at the very top level. I think this would be a great fight. Potential for Linares to trap Crolla in that high guard for long periods, but also for Crolla to catch Linares at points during the fight. Crolla (31(13kos)-4(1ko)-3 ): http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/c/c6/Anthony_Crolla.jpg/200px-Anthony_Crolla.jpg 29 years old 5'8" height 67" reach Linares (40(27kos)-3(3kos)-0) http://static.boxrec.com/thumb/0/02/Linares.Jorge.jpg/200px-Linares.Jorge.jpg 30 years old 5'8" height 69" reach Who ya got? :boxing: If this fight was to happen next, I think Crolla takes it. He has improved a lot since the guy I saw years ago and Linares is on the down slide of his career. I was still hoping for Mitchell v Linares 2 but it's not meant to be. This would decide the best fighter in the division with the winner further unifying against Flanagan.

My big worry for Crolla is that his (or Gallaghers) start slow finish fast routine will fall flat again at the top level like it did in the Quigg vs Frampton fight. It worked perfectly in Crollas last outing, but just handing an opponent a huge lead like that is a dangerous game. I don't think that's necessarily the game plan against everyone. But against pressure fighters it works very well. Linares is much more techincal.

I feel Crolla has enough momentum to beat Linares. Linares is techincally better, but his chin is weak and also I think Crolla has better stamina. My big worry for Crolla is that his (or Gallaghers) start slow finish fast routine will fall flat again at the top level like it did in the Quigg vs Frampton fight. It worked perfectly in Crollas last outing, but just handing an opponent a huge lead like that is a dangerous game.

I feel Crolla has enough momentum to beat Linares. Linares is techincally better, but his chin is weak and also I think Crolla has better stamina.