The boxing world was witness to Jorge Linares cementing his claim as the best lightweight boxer when he defeated Anthony Crolla on September 24 to become the WBA, WBC Diamond and The Ring magazine lightweight titles.
Linares defeated Crolla via unanimous decision in Manchester, England with a solid performance at the end of the fight, winning the last three rounds in the judges' scorecards.
It was a close enough fight that we may see a rematch between the in the future. Crolla's promoter Eddie Hearn is confident the Briton will square off again with Jorge Linares in 2017.
"Sometimes a loss in this sport at the highest level is not the end of the world and Anthony will be back to try and win those belts back in the early part of next year," Hearn said. "Jorge Linares will get a lot of money for the rematch and Anthony will be in a bigger fight next time around. Linares' experience in the back end of the fight won him the fight. Linares has hurt his hand but I would say February or March for the rematch."
Before the championship rounds of the fight, Crolla shined throughout the bout, out-working Linares in several rounds early on. Linares was lucky to have won the fight via decision after he managed to avoid being deducted a point for various low blows committed by him throughout the fight. The final round ended up being a slugfest, with both men leaving the ring covered in blood.
The Venezuelan champion has now won his last 10 fights, stemming all the way back to October 2012. After not fighting for practically year before the Crolla fight, it looks like he will have to wait a while longer to have another fight.
