This Saturday night at the Manchester Arena the boxing world gets a clash for British bragging rights in the lightweight division as Anthony Crolla faces Ricky Burns.
Both men are former world titleholders that are coming off fights that saw them lose their belts. Crolla held the WBA world title but dropped the belt to Venezuela’s Jorge Linares. Crolla also lost a subsequent rematch with Linares, meaning he is 0-2 in his last pair of fights. Burns recently held a world title at super lightweight but he is coming of a loss to Julius Indongo that saw his run as a world titlist in a third weight class comes to an end. Both men need a win.
Burns is dropping back down to the lightweight division for the first time since the 2014-2015 timeframe and the weight cutting could be a factor. Burns is now in his mid-thirties and his resume is chock full of wars. Though he may get to 135 pounds on the scales it remains to be seen whether it will have an effect on him as the fight extends itself. The truth is that Burns has been facing calls to retire for the last few years and a loss by him against Crolla will see the volume of that talk go through the ceiling. A win for Burns willsee him try to line up one last run as a world champion to add to his legacy.
Crolla is a veteran in his own right, with over 40 career fights, but he would appear to be the fresher of the two fighters. The fights with Linares were tough fights but Crolla did not embarrass himself and he should be motivated to win so he can make a case for another world title shot. Potentially awaiting the winner is WBO world titlist Terry Flanagan.
Eddie Hearn is bringing a big 13 fight boxing card to the Manchester Arena this Saturday. Check back closer to fight time to see if additional fights have popped up at the sports books.
Manchester Arena – Manchester, England
Lightweight 12 rounds –
Ricky Burns +210 o9½ -300
Anthony Crolla -250 u9½ +240
Lightweight 12 rounds –
Lewis Ritson +150
Robbie Barrett -170
