Lose this fight and it’s all over

Ricky’s career on the line against Crolla

Ricky Burns’manager believes that the loser of his potential‘Battle of Britain’bout against Anthony Crolla will retire from boxing.

Alex Morrison previously revealed to the Advertiser that the Coatbridge superlightweight has been provisionally booked to fight at the Manchester Arena on October 7 — however the final details are still to be ironed out with an announcement expected in the next week.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Crolla (below) stated that a defeat would mean a“long way back for the loser”and“could even bring about retirement.” The former WBA lightweight champion Crolla hasn’t stepped into the ring since losing to Jorge Linares in March. Burns lost his WBA super lightweight crown to BF and IBO holder Julius Indongo in April. Morrison agreed that it could be make of break for Scotland’s first three-weight world champion “I don’t know for sure, but I think there is a good chance that the loser of the fight will retire,”he said.

“I had seen that Crolla had been saying the same, but with these things you can never be 100 per cent sure.

“Ricky still has a good few fights in him and I’d expect him to put on a show down there.”

Morrison expected a top performance from his fighter, adding:“In my opinion he always boxes better away from home. It takes another bit off pressure off him.

“Crolla is a nice guy and a good fighter.

“It would be a shame for him to go out with a loss but that’s the way it is sometimes.”