Jorge Linares v Anthony Crolla: Venezuelan is determined to add another British scalp against hometown hero
WBC 'Diamond' lightweight champ stopped Kevin Mitchell at O2 Arena last year... and now bids to do same in Manchester
JORGE LINARES faces Anthony Crolla on Saturday night determined to add another British scalp to his record.
The Venezuelan stopped Dagenham’s Kevin Mitchell in the tenth round last year to retain the WBC world lightweight title at London’s O2.
He is back in the UK to challenge WBA champ Crolla at the Manchester Arena, with the Ring Magazine belt also up for grabs.
If he defeats the hometown hero, Linares fancies another trip to these shores for a dust-up with Crolla’s pal and fellow Mancunian Terry Flanagan, who holds the WBO title.
Linares, 31, said: “I have no problem discussing and talking about Flanagan, but right now my focus and goal is Crolla.
Related stories
“If everything works out, comes out in our favour and there are no injuries, why not come back to Manchester and fight Flanagan as well?
“You’ve got to give both of them respect. All three of us are warriors and world champions.”
Having suffered a broken right hand during training, Linares has not boxed since knocking out Ivan Cano in October.
He was upgraded to WBC Diamond champion during the lay-off, with the regular title now in the possession of Dejan Zlaticanin.
But Linares insists ring rust will not be an issue against 29-year-old Crolla.
He said: “I got injured but it wasn’t in a fight, it was during training. Things happen for a reason and I’m grateful because at the time a smaller fight was happening.
“It’s a fight Crolla wanted, it’s a fight I wanted, it’s a fight the fans wanted, so why not make it? Why take a smaller fight first?
“I’ve learned what I have to learn in boxing and now I have to go and show it.”