‘It meant everything to win after what happened’
ANTHONY Crolla dedicated his victory over Ricky Burns to his cousin, Leah, and everyone else affected by the atrocity at the Manchester Arena earlier this year.
The Manchester boxer defeated Burns by unanimous decision in front of a packed crowd, with many in attendance visiting the Arena for the first time since the tragic incident.
Leah was there to see the fight, having been caught up in the blast at the Arena in May – and the lightweight boxer was glad to do his family and the city proud.
“My cousin was here tonight and she’ll be going home happy,” said Crolla.
“It meant absolutely everything to me to win after everything that’s happened.
“I was here at the re-opening a few weeks back and it was a very special night.
“There were people in there on Saturday for the first time since that horrible night. They came out to support me and it was an emotional night for people, so I had to make sure I got the win.
“When I walk out, you get those nerves and I say to myself ‘I’m the luckiest person in the world.’
“I’m living a childhood dream here. I’m just glad we put on a great fight for everyone.”
The victory over Burns will move Crolla one step closer towards another world title shot, having lost his WBA lightweight belt to Jorge Linares.
Crolla has been linked with a big money fight in America over the past couple of years, but he revealed that the passion of the Manchester crowd makes him question whether he should ever fight anywhere else.
“When I walk out there and that crowd is behind me, I don’t know about fighting in America. It’s special, it really is,” he said.
“I’m sure my fans would like the away trip and it’s one to tick off the list, but whatever is the best opportunity and makes most sense is what I’ll do.
“My aim is to try and win back another world title and whoever gets me there the fastest, I’ll happily take it.” Crolla’s promoter Eddie Hearn is keen to try and get the 30-year-old another crack at a world title, but also feels that big money-making fights are also important.
“Anthony is at the stage of his career where world titles are very important, but so are big fights,” he said.
“He hasn’t got 10 fights left. He’s in the final stages of his career and it’s our job to make sure he gets what he deserves, which is as much money as possible.
“This is a very critical stage of his career and I’ve got to make sure every fight counts.”