Preview: Crolla v Linares 2 No More Excuses for Anthony Crolla

When Anthony Crolla takes to the ring in Manchester on 25th March there can be no excuses. It really is ‘Repeat or Revenge’ for the former WBA Champion who is looking to reclaim his title as well as the WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine straps from Jorge Linares.

Linares, the former three weight works champion beat Crolla in Manchester back in September claiming a unanimous decision and is understandably the favourite going into the rematch.

The first Crolla v Linares fight was fascinating. We had the new champion complete with home advantage taking on the former three weight world champion who some believed had seen better days.

Crolla took the fight to Linares and displayed guts, determination and willpower that would come to be expected of a Mancunian world champion defending on home turf (see Ricky Hatton).

Linares however was at his slickest, using his speed to get away from the forward coming Crolla and getting the better shots off. Crolla was hurt in the 6th but survived and stood toe to toe all the way through to a gut busting gun fight of a final round.

When the judge’s cards came in, it was no real surprise to see Linares had won it but talk of a rematch was inevitable.

‘Million Dolla’ Crolla came into the first fight riding the crest of a wave after impressive stoppages of Darleys Perez and Ismail Barroso and came up short against a man who had dispatched his previous four opponents, including Kevin Mitchell who was on the receiving end of a horrendous eye injury.

This time around Crolla is faced with the task of rebuilding after a defeat, his first since losing to Gary Sykes in the Prizefighter Semi Final back in 2012. How he will respond will unfurl on the 25th.

Crolla’s coach, Joe Gallagher has clearly realised the enormity of the task in hand and has warned friends and supporters of his fighter to leave him alone in the build-up to the fight. He has ordered his charge to concentrate all of his energy on preparing for Linares. Gallagher has stated that in the past Crolla’s ‘nice guy’ attitude has meant he can easily be distracted delivering fight tickets to friends and supporters.

The fighter himself has clearly understood the message from Gallagher and told SkySports that he has been flying in camp as a result of making those changes.

‘I run around with tickets and stress over things. I've been told it for years, but this time it's been different and I'm flying in camp. It's been a load off my shoulders and I am just concentrating on getting my belt back.’

If Crolla, who’s rise to this level of fight has been an enjoyable one over the last few years, truly has ironed out any kinks in his preparation we should be in store for a cracking rematch.

There are some huge fights out there for the winner. Crolla has always had one eye on a fight with WBO champion and fellow Mancunian Terry Flanagan, which if promoters can put differences aside would make for a brilliant unification fight. Likewise, with the WBC placing the first fight in high enough regard that the WBC Diamond belt was on the line, I am sure that a fight with WBC Regular champ Mikey Garcia, fresh from his devastating stoppage win over Dejan Zlaticanin, would be one that many would want to see.

It’s been titled ‘Repeat or Revenge’ but for Anthony Crolla it should be ‘No Distractions, No Excuses’.