Crolla set for Manchester rematch with Linares

Anthony Crolla has the opportunity to regain the WBA lightweight title he lost to Jorge Linares last year after a rematch between the pair was scheduled for 25 March at Manchester Arena.

Crolla lost by a unanimous decision to the Japan-based Venezuelan last September at the same venue, surrendering the world title he won by defeating Darleys Perez in November 2015.

The 30-year-old Mancunian, who has won 31 of his 39 professional contests, with five defeats and three draws, said: “There had been lots of talk on the rematch since the first fight with Jorge so I’m delighted to finally get this announced.

“I will have to show improvements in the rematch if I am to win. I came up short on the night against the better man – with those improvements I believe I can change the result this time around.

“I see Jorge as the best lightweight in the world and I want to be the best lightweight in the world. These are the fights that I want to be involved in.

“The last four fights have been the biggest fights of my career, all tough opponents. I’m up for these big nights and people start expecting them. The motivation is always there for me, walking out at that arena with that crowd – it’s the level I feel I’m at now.

“The better the opponent, the better I will perform.”

Crolla stopped Perez in the fifth round of their rematch, after a controversial draw in the first encounter, before successfully defending his strap with a seventhround knockout of Ismael Barroso.

But Crolla was soundly defeated by three-weight world champion Linares, who improved his record to 41 wins from 44 bouts.

Linares said: “I am really excited to be going back to Manchester.

“Crolla is a tremendous fighter with a lot of heart so I know I must train twice as hard for another tough fight. I promise another great performance and assure that the belts are returning home with me.”