Fight for dough ,not show, Joe
TIME’S RUNNING OUT, SAYS HEARN
PROMOTER Eddie Hearn wants Anthony Crolla to add to his bank account rather than his mantelpiece.
Hearn feels Crolla may only have three fights left after beating Ricky Burns on a unanimous points decision on his comeback and should prioritise paydays over world titles.
“I want to get Anthony into a position where he’s in a great financial position and that means more to me than world titles,” said Hearn (right).
“Although he may not realise it, he should be more motivated by money because he’s running out of time to earn dough.”
Hearn feels a showdown with Terry Flanagan remains difficult because the WBO lightweight champ will not accept that Crolla deserves the “lion’s share” as the bigger draw, while IBF title holder Robert Easter is not big box office.
The former WBA king revealed it was emotional fighting at Manchester Arena for the first time since the bomb attack in May, which was witnessed by his cousin Leah Crolla. “It meant absolutely everything to me fighting here again after everything that’s happened,” said the proud Mancunian. “There were people in here tonight for the first time since that horrible night and it was very emotional. They came out to support me, so I had to make sure I got the win.” Crolla, 30, was sharper than Burns and repeatedly pierced the Scot’s defences with his jab, hook and uppercut. Burns, 34, bloodied Crolla’s nose and insists he will not quit, even though the loss was his fifth in his last 10 fights. The three-weight world champ wants a rematch in Glasgow, which looks unlikely as Crolla pursues other paydays. “I’d be the first to admit it if I couldn’t do it any more,” said Burns. “But I’ve definitely got a few big fights left in me. My next fight is going to be No.50 and I think I can hit 60 or 70.”