Nice guy Crolla ready to get nasty in title bid

Anthony Crolla will not be afraid to “rough up” Jorge Linares in their world title bout tonight.

The 30-year-old is looking to win back the WBA belt he relinquished to the Venezuelan in their first fight, also at Manchester Arena, in September.

Crolla insists he is a better fighter now and that he has learned from the defeat, which came via a unanimous points decision.

And he will not let his nice guy reputation get in the way of finding a way to beat the impressive Linares.

Crolla said: “I’m a realist. I know it’s a tough fight. But I believe I have improved. I came up short last time, there wasn’t loads in it, but I came up short.

“Up until the sixth round, I believed the fight was going my way, but one lapse in concentration cost me. I believe with the improvements I’ve made, if I can take them into the ring on Saturday night, I will be world champion again.

“Certainly at times I gave him too much space, let him move his feet. He’s got very good ring craft. So, at times, I do need to drag him into a fight. I’ve got to make him do things he’s not so comfortable doing.

“People say (I’m a nice guy) and it’s nice of them to do that. But, whenever I’ve needed to dig deep, I’ve done it and I’ll do it again on Saturday night.

“I can (be nasty) and I think that’s been seen. I’ve never been lacking heart or determination and that will be the same on Saturday night. Me and Jorge will shake hands but, if I have to rough him up, I’ll do it.”

There is a lot at stake for Crolla, who first won the title in Manchester in November 2015 with victory over Darleys Perez.

Victory would not only give him the WBA crown back but also the Ring magazine lightweight title and a potential shot at Mikey Garcia in Las Vegas.

Crolla has 31 wins from 39 previous fights, 13 of them by knockout.