Crolla bows out with a farewell win
ANTHONY Crolla bowed out of boxing with a majority win again Frank Urquiaga on Saturday night at the Manchester Arena, claiming the vacant WBA continental lightweight title.
It wasn’t an easy final fight for Crolla who was attacked early by Urquiaga and admitted feeling some pressure before the fight.
“I felt a little bit of pressure. To be honest I felt relaxed throughout the day but it was pretty hard knowing that it was going to be the last one.
“Everyone gave me an unbelievable reception and I’m glad I had that last fight so I can definitely close the book now.”
Despite putting in a decent performance, opponent Urquiaga had some strange moments, one of which was when he fell to the canvas due to a gentle push from Crolla.
The Spaniard was also clutching the back of his head at times, something Crolla found frustrating.
“It was a bit frustrating early on because of the stuff about hitting behind the head and I thought he hit low a few times but no complaints, it’s a boxing match.
“But he milked things a little bit early on but fair play to him because I can’t say that he looked like quitting.
“When he was doing that I thought he was looking for a way out so it tricked me a little bit.”
The former WBA lightweight world champion says goodbye to a career full of highs and lows, a career which promoter Eddie Hearn believes is one of boxing’s great success stories.
“This is, for me, one of the great success stories of boxing and also for us [Matchroom Boxing], because it’s one that I’ll look back on and think “how on earth did we do that?
“He has ended up with such a great life, money and rewards and it really comes down to timing, good luck but also a lot of hard work.”
Although Crolla has been a big influence in the ring trainer Joe Gallagher expressed the impact his absence will have in training.
“We’ll miss his energy in the gym, his dedication, he sets the standards.
“It’s up to the rest of the lads in that gym to get the work ethic but it isn’t just that it’s how he lives his life outside of the ring.
“He didn’t blow up by two or three stone like everyone else, he was always in or around his weight hence why he’s had the career he has.”