What next for Anthony Crolla

Anthony Crolla

FORMER WBA ย lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla is ticking over in the gym, waiting to make his next move after losing a second time to excellent Venezuelan Jorge Linares.

His trainer Joe Gallagher wants Crolla to return to world title level. “Itโ€™s been a rollercoaster of emotions with him since heโ€™s come back from his injury. Heโ€™s had five tough, high level championship fights at world level, two with Perez, Barroso and Jorge Linares. Each time Anthonyโ€™s pushed the boundaries higher and higher and thereโ€™s no shame in his last fight with Jorge Linares,” Joe told Boxing News. “Weโ€™ve got to sit down with Anthony, whether he wants to come back in a 10 round contest against an opponent sort or to go straight back in at the deep end. Itโ€™s interesting seeing what happens now with [Jorge] Linares and [Mikey] Garcia, are them two going to fight? [Dejan] Zlaticanin, heโ€™s still about in the mix. I see thereโ€™s talk that theyโ€™re trying to make [Vasyl] Lomachenko and Terry Flanagan. Itโ€™ll be interesting to see.”

Gallagher is eyeing a fight overseas for him. “Unless thereโ€™s a big opportunity or offer, I wouldnโ€™t mind trying to get Anthony Crolla his Vegas night. A fight in America, in Vegas, whether it be in an eliminator, a final eliminator or a 10 round contest against somebody in America on a Vegas undercard somewhere. Give his fans what theyโ€™ve always wanted, that Vegas night. If that was to be on the Canelo-GGG undercard or something like that, I donโ€™t know. I think everybody knows Anthony has great support everywhere he goes, he sells tickets,” Joe said.

anthony crolla

“Iโ€™d like him to have a date abroad on a big show and to give his fans that away day trip. Whether itโ€™s a 10 round contest to ease himself back into it or whether itโ€™s a world title shot or eliminator, it just depends whatโ€™s out there, whatโ€™s on offer at the moment. Frank [Warren] and Flanaganโ€™s lot have made quite clear ย theyโ€™re not interested in fighting Anthony Crolla now he doesnโ€™t have a belt,” he added. “Thereโ€™s a new European champion as well, whether thatโ€™s a step back, thereโ€™s plenty of options available to Anthony. Weโ€™ll just have sit and wait but I really would like Anthony to have an away day for his fans, whether thatโ€™s Las Vegas or New York remains to be seen. Weโ€™ll see what happens.”

“Heโ€™s had five tough fights. You look at all good fighters that fight, they all come back with a confidence builder, whether itโ€™s a 10 rounder or whatever, just to get that win and come back again, ready to go again. He just needs to get that win,” he continued. “A good rest, come back, a good camp, fight, get the juices going enough and the excitement of fighting abroad and the challenges that brings with it, get a win and put himself back in the mix again. If Linares does move up to fight a Crawford, or Garcia does, I think the lightweight belt picture will open up again. And Anthony could be in a position to challenge for one of the world titles again.”

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