5 Potential Opponents for New Lightweight World Champion Anthony Crolla

Denied by a majority draw in his first fight against Darleys Perez, Anthony Crolla made sure the judges were not required to decide the rematch.

Million Dollar claimed the WBA lightweight title in his home city of Manchester, England, thanks to a brutal left hook to the body in Round 5.

The TKO victory sparked emotional scenes in the ring, as the popular Crolla was embraced by both trainer Joe Gallagher and promoter Eddie Hearn.

The 29-year-old must have wondered if he would ever achieve his boyhood dream after suffering serious injuries while attempting to prevent a burglary last December.

Struck with a concrete slab, Crolla was left with a fractured skull and a broken ankle. He was only cleared to box again in March.

Now a world champion, the Mancunian has the chance to cash in on his success in 2016. But who will he target as potential opponents?

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Crolla said: "I've not had a chance to speak about names for the next one. But I'm sure there are some huge showdowns, whether they are domestic showdowns or unification showdowns against other world champions."

To help Crolla out, Bleacher Report has picked out five leading candidates for his next big fight.

The lightweight division is awash with candidates—and that's without needing to look too far beyond the British Isles.

Crolla has faced Liverpool's Derry Mathews twice before, but a third meeting would have extra significance with a world title on the line.

Ricky Burns—a two-weight world champion who is looking to rule again at 135 pounds—could also be considered for a title defence.

The Scotsman held the WBO strap until he ran into the excellent Terence Crawford in 2014. He also lost in the same year to Dejan Zlaticanin, who is another name in the frame for Crolla.

Algenis Mendez is a former title holder at super featherweight who has moved up, while Richard Commey is an unbeaten potential challenger.

Commey is no stranger to fighting on British soil. He has recorded four wins at the famous York Hall venue in Bethnal Green, London.

All of these fighters would be decent options for a first defence, but they didn't quite squeeze into our top five.

Denis Shafikov and Rances Barthelemy (pictured above) have been paired together because they meet each other for the vacant IBF belt in December.

Shafikov—a former European champion at super lightweight—has a 36-1-1 (19 KOs) record.

He failed in a previous attempt to pick up the IBF title, as he was beaten by Miguel Vazquez last February. However, since then, he's reeled off three wins on the spin.

Barthelemy, meanwhile, is unbeaten in 23 fights. Born in Cuba, he had a long and successful amateur career before moving to the United States prior to the 2008 Olympics.

He has fluctuated between weight classes in the pros and has already been the IBF's champion at super featherweight.

Bleacher Report's Kelsey McCarson ranked Kid Blast at 25 in his updated pound-for-pound list. Relatively tall and tricky, the 29-year-old would be an intriguing opponent for the industrious Crolla.

Luke Campbell was an interested ringside spectator when Crolla dethroned Perez in Manchester.

After seeing his fellow Englishman claim the WBA belt in such style, Campbell tweeted, "Lightweight best division in this country! I'm excited to get in the mix."

It may seem like it's a little too early to put the Hull fighter in with a world champion just yet, but there's no need to take it steady with the 2012 Olympic gold medal winner.

He is 28 and needs to be tested, as he has easily dealt with all 12 opponents he's faced so far as a pro.

The slick southpaw may not have many rounds under his belt, but he possesses the skills to go all the way in the division.

Due to fight on Dec. 12 in London, Campbell could easily be ready to mix it up with someone of Crolla's experience and standing in the second half of 2016.

If Crolla wants a unification fight, then Jorge Linares could be an easy one to make.

The current WBC champion (40-3, 27 KOs) was born and raised in Venezuela but is now based in Tokyo, Japan. He picked up his title last year, knocking out Javier Prieto inside four rounds.

However, he is best known to British boxing fans for dealing Englishman Kevin Mitchell a painful defeat at London's O2 Arena in May.

The bout was a brutal battle between two brave fighters. Despite being dropped to the canvas in Round 5, Linares made a mess of Mitchell's face.

The bout was eventually stopped in the 10th, with the challenger beaten into submission. There was talk of a rematch, but Linares instead fought Ivan Cano in his second defence.

Linares is an opponent who should appeal to Crolla and his team. The 30-year-old is exciting to watch, possesses power in his fists and is willing to trade with anyone. 

Also, travelling to England again should not be an issue for the man known as El Nino de Oro.

Kevin Mitchell has fallen short in his previous two attempts to win a full world title, but the Londoner is refusing to give up his pursuit of the gold.

The 31-year-old—who entered the paid ranks as a teenager—has only lost to Michael Katsidis, Ricky Burns and Jorge Linares in his career.

The Hammer may not have captured the WBC title, but he did gain a few fans after his performance against Linares earlier this year, despite being stopped in Round 10.

Mitchell (39-3, 29 KOs) will next face the unbeaten Ismael Barroso for the WBA interim lightweight title on Dec. 12.

As interim champion, the winner of the bout will be installed as Crolla's mandatory challenger, per Sky Sports.

An all-English showdown between Crolla and Mitchell is a tantalising prospect for 2016. It should also be an easy fight to make, as both men are promoted by Eddie Hearn.

The city of Manchester would be divided if Crolla and fellow world champion Terry Flanagan ever went toe-to-toe.

Unbeaten southpaw Flanagan (29-0, 12 KOs) currently holds the WBO belt. BoxRec ranks him as the top lightweight in the world right now.

Turbo Terry picked up his title in July, benefiting from opponent Jose Zepeda suffering a dislocated shoulder in Round 2. He successfully defended it three months later, stopping Diego Magdaleno in a hurry.

According to Sheldan Keay of the Manchester Evening News, Crolla turned down an opportunity to face Flanagan earlier this year.

However, after beating Perez, Million Dollar told Simon Crawford of SportingLife.com, "I have a lot of respect for him [Flanagan] and his team and if that is the fight put forward then I don't mind—if it makes business sense then it can certainly happen."

The fact that Crolla is a big Manchester United fan and Flanagan is a supporter of Manchester City would only add a little extra spice to the occasion.

Do you agree that Flanagan is the best option out there for Anthony "Million Dollar" Crolla? Have your say in the comments section.