Million Dollar set for Vegas riches
CROLLA EYES UNIFICATION BOUT ... BUT FIRST HE HAS TO GAIN REVENGE ON LINARES
ANTHONY Crolla could be set for a dream unification showdown with Mikey Garcia in Las Vegas if he can defeat Jorge Linares on Saturday.
The New Moston boxer will look to gain revenge and win the WBA, WBC diamond and Ring Magazine lightweight titles when he faces Linares at the Manchester Arena.
The winner of the bout will be the mandatory challenger for the WBC title, currently held by undefeated heavy puncher Garcia. With that in mind, Crolla – nicknamed Million Dollar – admits he would relish the opportunity to head Stateside with thousands of fans for a mega fight.
“It’s a very big possibility and it would be another one to tick off the bucket list to go to Vegas and see my name up in lights,” Crolla told M.E.N. Sport. “We would definitely take big numbers, and all of my mates really want that away trip so it would be great to see thousands of Mancs invading the Vegas strip.
“The only fight I’m thinking about at the moment though is Saturday and beating Linares.
“Every morning when I see my son that gives me all the motivation I would ever need, but potentially going over to Vegas gives me added motivation to beat Linares.”
Crolla came up short when he went up against Linares in their first meeting in September, suffering a narrow unanimous decision loss.
The 30-year-old is adamant he has vastly improved since then, and has fired a warning to his opponent.
“I thought Jorge was great last time and I believe he will be again, but I’ve certainly got better since the first fight, so if Jorge hasn’t made any improvements, then I will beat him,” he said. “I feel brilliant and this is the best camp me and Joe have ever had. I’m really relaxed and I just can’t wait until the fight now. “We had the open workout on Tuesday and somebody who sees me a lot said I look like a completely different animal than the first fight, and that’s how I feel.” Crolla usually stays at home during fight weeks in Manchester, but instead he will spend this week in a hotel away from his family in order to keep him fully switched on. “I’ve been in the hotel all week and I’ll just rest up and get my mind on the job,” he said. Crolla and Linares will go face-to-face again today when they hold their final press conference ahead of the fight.