Crolla: "I’m better in rematches, I want my belt back!"

Manchester’s Anthony Crolla is determined to put his defeat to Jorge Linares behind him when the pair collide again at Manchester Arena in the spring. Crolla lost a decision to the Venezuelan hardman in September 2016, along with his coveted world lightweight title, and aims to gain revenge when multi-weight world title holder Linares returns to the UK on March 25.

“I want the belt back, simple. Fighting for these prizes in front of us is huge. I’m so lucky to have a second chance and it’s one I have to take,” said Crolla. “It was a special night last time, great crowd and it’ll be even bigger this time. The setting was perfect but I lost my belt. I lost to a great fighter but I don’t celebrate losing, I don’t want to feel it again and I want to go down in history by beating a great fighter.

“I am better in rematches and I’m locking myself away to work harder and smarter to make sure these belts stay here,” he added.

A sixth career defeat could leave Crolla heading back to domestic level, potentially for a trilogy fight with Derry Mathews later in the year - but on the other hand, victory could set-up a massive hometown unification with Terry Flanagan.

Prior to the Linares defeat, Crolla was unbeaten since a 2012 reverse to Gary Sykes in the Prizefighter tournament, and with the Yorkshireman now retired, Mathews is the only other active fighter left holding a win over the 30 year-old.