Anthony needs performance of a lifetime to win

ANTHONY CROLLA has spent his career up against it, so why should tonight be any different?

WBA world lightweight champion, Jorge Linares, is an exceptional fighter.

To get past him in Manchester, Crolla will have to surpass anything he has done before. His is some story, and I’m not talking about his incredible show of bravery in fighting off burglars at his neighbour’s house three years ago.

He has surpassed all expectations, assembling a career I did not see coming when I watched him lose to Youssef Al Hamidi (below) in Bolton in his ninth fight.

Linares is a beautiful box fighter, punches at long range and his combinations are fantastic.

He outboxed and outpunched Crolla in their first meeting and I take him to repeat that, but you never know in this game. Linares is not quite the man he was and, if he has an off-night, Crolla will be all over him.

Crolla is an aggressive fighter with a strong defence. He hits well to the body and puts relentless pressure on opponents. That’s his game. He wears you down. In the last fight Linares kept him at long range, and hit him repeatedly straight down the pipe. Guys of the class of Linares always aim about 10 inches below your guard.

They might not hit the button but they know they will hit something. There is nothing more demoralising than watching punches slide over the head of your opponent. Not only does it take a lot out of you, it leaves you vulnerable to the counter. Even if Linares doesn’t hit you clean, he still hits you.

Then he prises you open, steps to the right and hits you with a long left hook or a corkscrew left, or moves to the left and hits you with an uppercut or a straight right to break your guard.

That is what Linares is really good at. He is so classy to watch and accurate landing with long, slashing punches.

Crolla has done an amazing job getting to this level. He proved wrong all the doubters who believed, back in 2008, that he did not have the talent to get there. He has secured his future in these world title bouts with Linares.

And he will be remembered. Crolla is all that’s good about boxing, and deserves his rewards.