LightWeight

Anthony Crolla and Jorge Linares have shown each other nothing but respect in the buildup to their lightweight title fight in Manchester, England, on Saturday.

Such has been the goodwill between the pair, it's not improbable to think local lad Crolla may have Linares around for Sunday lunch the day after they've been toe-to-toe.

However, when the first bell sounds at the Manchester Arena, the mutual admiration will temporarily cease.

Crolla (31-4-3, 13 KOs) is the WBA champion with a belt to retain. Linares (40-3, 27 KOs), meanwhile, is a fighter with a reputation to uphold, having only parted ways with the WBC title because of injury.

You know it's a big fight when The Ring gets involved too.

The publication has put its vacant belt on the line, meaning the showdown will decide—in the magazine's experienced eyes at least—who is the best lightweight in the world.

2 Class acts both inside and outside Ring @ant_crolla & @JorgeLinares today public workout roll on Sat night #Sept24 #CrollaLinares pic.twitter.com/W5ZYnf96uq

— Joe Gallagher (@JoeG) September 20, 2016

         

When: Saturday, September 24, 10 p.m. BST (5 p.m. ET)

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester.

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)

            

The Nicest Boy in Boxing

Crolla just keeps on adding chapters to his wonderful boxing fairytale.

The fighter, nicknamed Million Dollar, was worth much less than that when he lost his British title to Derry Mathews in April 2012.

Just six months later, he couldn't even reach the final of a Prizefighter tournament. At that stage, it was entirely reasonable to think he would never get beyond the domestic level.

Even after battling his way into a position to challenge for a world title in 2014, Crolla faced a fight bigger than any opponent. In attempting to thwart a burglary, he suffered a broken ankle and a fractured skull.

The Mancunian made a full recovery and eventually got his title shot—only for the judges to deny him victory over WBA champion Darleys Perez in July 2015.

In the rematch, Crolla took matters into his own hands, producing a left hook to the body to dethrone Perez. In his first defence, it was a right hand under the ribs that KO'd challenger Ismael Barroso.

Saturday night #WBAboxing Lightweight champion @ant_crolla will defend his title against former 3-weight champ @JorgeLinares (40-3, 27 KOs) pic.twitter.com/xh1HIoxgwE

— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) September 21, 2016

There'll be few in the boxing business begrudging Crolla his time in the spotlight.

As fellow world champion Tony Bellew pointed out in his column for Metro, the 29-year-old is "the nicest boy in boxing." He is a smiling assassin who simply never knows when he's beaten.

However, his next test will be the toughest of his pro career to date. Perez was a solid champion, while Barroso was a dangerous challenger until he ran out of steam.

Linares, though, is on the next level. The Venezuelan is a three-weight world champion best known to British boxing fans as the man who climbed off the canvas to beat Kevin Mitchell in London last year.

Crolla told David Anderson of the Mirror that he has spotted "weaknesses" in his opponent, although he clearly appreciates the size of the task at hand: "I have to use my brain in the fight. I've got to drag every last ounce out of myself to win, and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

       

The Travelling Man

WHAT A FIGHT!!

.@WBABoxing, @WBCBoxing Diamond and @ringmagazine 135lb belts ALL on the line!

Nearly time to find out who is #1! pic.twitter.com/1sVqACWfRk

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 22, 2016

Linares has never been afraid to move around to further his career. His motto? Have gloves, will travel.

After a successful amateur career in his homeland, he moved to Japan with the aim of turning pro as a teenager to support his family.

WBC President Gilberto Mendoza told Richard Damerell of Sky Sports: "[Linares] comes from a boxing family. His father had a gym in front of the house. They do their homework, they run, they train. The discipline was there, the respect was there, but there was not the money."

The decision to up sticks and settle in Tokyo paid off. He won world titles at feather and super featherweight before claiming the WBC lightweight strap by knocking out Javier Prieto in 2014.

He successfully defended it twice, beating both Mitchell and Ivan Cano inside the distance, but a broken hand stopped him taking on mandatory challenger Dejan Zlaticanin earlier this year.

The WBC took the belt off the injured champion—allowing Zlaticanin to claim it with a stoppage win against Franklin Mamani—but promised Linares he could fight for it once fit to return to the ring.

Instead, the 31-year-old has chosen to take on WBA champion Crolla.

Linares has experienced an English crowd before. He was involved in a fight-of-the-year contender against Mitchell, who finished the brutal battle with an eye so swollen it looked like a golf ball had been surgically implanted into his forehead, at the O2 Arena last May.

However, Manchester fight nights are a bit different from cards in the capital. Local favourite Crolla will have a raucous crowd right behind him, bringing back memories of Ricky Hatton's glory years.

That leaves Linares cast as the pantomime villain, a role he is happy to take.

The experienced campaigner, who is nicknamed Golden Boy, told James Dielhenn of Sky Sports: "I love fighting in my opponent's backyard with all the noise that comes with it from their fans. The supporters cannot get in the ring with their fighter. It's just me and him."

         

Prediction

Just when you think Crolla has reached the top of the mountain, he keeps on climbing.

His progress to world level is a testament to his dedication, as well as the work done by his trainer, Joe Gallagher. The pair have figured out ways to win, no matter which fighter they've come up against.

Against Barroso, they took the risk of standing in front of big puncher and waiting for him to run out of steam. With Linares, though, that won't work.

This will be more of a mental battle than a test of physical limits. The visiting fighter is a sharp counterpuncher too, although all three of his career defeats have come by TKO.

Still, if the bout finishes inside the distance, Linares appears the most likely winner. His 63 per cent KO ratio suggests he hits hard, even up at 135 pounds.

Crolla has to test his rival's stamina—Linares has not fought since October 2015. A points win looks the Englishman's most likely method of victory. Don't count against him pulling it off.

         

Bleacher Report will be covering the main fights from Manchester live. Join our blog from 9 p.m. BST (4 p.m. ET) for updates on the action.

Luke Campbell and Derry Mathews have both reached a crossroads moment in their respective careers.

Despite contrasting routes to facing each other at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, on October 15, the two lightweights now share one similarity: Only a win will do if they are to progress in the division.

Their bout is the chief support act to Tony Bellew's maiden defence of his WBC cruiserweight belt against BJ Flores.

Bellew's last appearance in his home city was an emotional rollercoaster with a Hollywood-story ending. The local hero recovered from an early knockdown to knock out Ilunga Makabu, becoming a world champion at the third attempt in the process.

At the home of his beloved Everton Football Club, Bellew had achieved his lifelong aim. After such a personal high, fighting Flores at the Echo Arena just feels like a case of after the Lord Mayor's show.

Bellew tried hard to tempt David Haye into a domestic clash. Per Liam Prenderville of the Mirror, the two sides held talks, yet a deal never materialised.

The Bomber also made clear his willingness to take on IBF and WBA holder Denis Lebedev—just not in Russia. He told Sky Sports (h/t Isaac Robinson and James Dielhenn of SkySports.com), "I will fight Lebedev anywhere..." only to then add: "whether it be England or the USA."

With Bellew-Flores failing to hit the sweet spot, Campbell and Mathews can steal the show.

It certainly pricked the attention of the British boxing world, as shown by the reaction on Twitter to the fight announcement:

Derry Mathews-Luke Campbell is an absolute belter. Well done to all involved for getting it signed. More please #boxing

— Tris Dixon (@TrisDixon) August 24, 2016

Luke Campbell v Derry Mathews is a great fight. A lot on the line for both.

— Chris McKenna (@cmckennasport) August 23, 2016

Just read Derry Matthews vs luke Campbell that is a really good fight

— Enzo Maccarinelli 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇹 (@theRealEnzoMac) August 23, 2016

The necessity for both men to win only adds a touch of desperation to an already enthralling matchup.

To a degree, it feels like style against substance. Mathews, though, is much more than just a durable foe who will stick around. It should not be overlooked that he once had a stint as an interim world champion.

Campbell, however, is the classier operator out of the two. The southpaw has speed of hand and foot, though for all his abilities he's still best known for winning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.

He deserves great credit for accepting the challenge. Not only has he signed up to defend his WBC Silver belt against a dangerous opponent, he's also agreed to do so in the Liverpudlian's back yard.

It's a brave move, but also the right one. Walkover wins and tune-up bouts are no longer needed—it is time for Campbell to be tested.

Argenis Mendez—a former world champion at super featherweight—did that to a degree in July, knocking Campbell down in Round 2 with a right hand straight down the middle.

The fighter from Hull, England, recovered from the early setback to win on points, aided in small part by Mendez—suffering with a broken jaw—barely bothering to come out of his shell as the fight wore on.

Yet a seed of doubt first planted by Yvan Mendy—who put Campbell on the seat of his pants with a left hook when handing him his first pro defeat in December 2015—had sprouted roots.

Mendez barely bothered to extend his arms throughout the fight, yet still caught his opponent with a counter shot that couldn't miss, such was the gap in Campbell's defences. Knockout Kings captured the moment on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/KOKINGS4/status/759491101682262017

There's no doubting Campbell's talent but—four years on from his glorious run to gold at the London Games—he's yet to completely convince in the pro game.

Mathews certainly has his doubts, as he made clear in the official press release from Matchroom Boxing:

He [Campbell] was a fantastic amateur but the pro game is different and I don’t think that he’s settled in as a pro as he wanted to.

Luke will experience things he’s never faced before and I believe I can beat him otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the fight. People might look at my age and the number of fights I’ve had, but I still feel fresh and I live the right life, and I’m prepared to dig deep and do what I need to get the win.

Dirty Derry is 32, hardly a number that suggests he's so far over the hill you can barely spot him in the distance. He does have plenty of miles on the clock, though, having been a pro for well over a decade.

Mathews reached the milestone of 50 bouts in his failed bid to dethrone WBO champion Terry Flanagan in March. But, even in defeat, he showed there is still life in the (not so) old dog yet.

He has already ruined the best-laid plans of another fighter from Hull, too. In July 2013, Tommy Coyle looked on course to win the Commonwealth title until Mathews conjured up a dramatic knockout in Round 10.

His lengthy record also includes a win and a draw in two meetings with current WBA champion Anthony Crolla.

Campbell may look young, but he will be 29 by the time he steps into the ring next.

His amateur pedigree meant he arrived in the paid ranks with big expectations. The early performances only added to the hype, but his progression has rather plateaued of late.

No one saw the loss to Mendy—a durable Frenchman selected for his ability to last—coming. There were admittedly mitigating circumstances behind the result, as Campbell's father battled cancer.

Despite having an excuse for the below-par performance, changes were made. Cuban trainer Jorge Rubio is now leading the corner, meaning Campbell has to leave his young family at home for long training camps in Miami. It is a sacrifice necessary to achieve his goal of becoming a world champion.

It should concern Rubio that his charge has been put down twice—and from two different types of punches—in his last three outings.

His chin isn't a major worry—he recovered quickly from both setbacks and was able to box on through to the final bell—but such carelessness cannot continue when up against better opposition.

Will Campbell reach the lofty heights expected of him when he turned pro? That is still open for debate, but facing someone of Mathews' experience and quality is an ideal test at this stage of his career.

Campbell told Bleacher Report earlier this year he would "like to fight for a world title next year." If that is to be the case, he must step up to his biggest challenge since stepping down from the Olympic podium.

           

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.

At Wednesday's press conference in Manchester, England, Anthony Crolla and Jorge Linares acted like the best of friends.

On September 24, however, they will be the best of enemies.

The two world champions meet next month to decide who is the best lightweight around right now. Other fighters in the division may disagree with that statement, but The Ring magazine views the unification contest good enough for it to put the vacant title up for grabs.

Crolla—the WBA titleholder—has the advantage of fighting at home. The local boy will expect to be backed by a vociferous crowd at the Manchester Arena, a familiar stomping ground for him during his rise to fame.

Yet Linares—the WBC's current champion in recess after injury stopped him from making a mandatory defence earlier in the year—is accustomed to spoiling the party.

The Venezuelan, a three-weight world champion who is now based in Tokyo, has been to England before. Back in May 2015, he climbed off the canvas to win a brutal war against Londoner Kevin Mitchell.

Crolla will hope history isn't repeated.

In a hotel barely a goal kick away from Old Trafford, the famous home of Manchester United, the pair came together to talk to the media.

Such events can turn nasty, yet Crolla and Linares didn't trade insults. Instead, they shared a handshake beforehand and a plethora of pleasantries during proceedings.

Neither man is the trash-talking type. Both dressed to impress and flashed smiles instead of throwing insults. Respect—not empty rhetoric—was the order of the day, and how boxing could do with more of that.

They exchanged compliments like a tennis rally between two top seeds. However, the kind words also offered an insight into the past, present and future.

Here, with the aid of actual quotes from those involved at the media event, Bleacher Report breaks down an intriguing battle to be the top dog at 135 pounds.

WHAT. A. FIGHT!!

WBC Diamond, WBA & Ring Magazine belts ALL on the line!! #CrollaLinares pic.twitter.com/eyAkNgUozp

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 24, 2016

    

"You have to pinch yourself to believe that it’s true."

Eddie Hearn, Crolla's promoter, isn't alone in wondering how the man nicknamed Million Dollar eventually hit the boxing jackpot.

Both in and out of the ring, Crolla—who has lost four times and drawn three of his 38 pro outings—has had his setbacks.

In 2012, he not only surrendered his British title to Derry Mathews but also failed to triumph in a Prizefighter series, losing at the semi-final stage. At that time, it seemed reasonable to suggest he wouldn't move far beyond domestic duties.

However, hurdles have merely proved to be steppingstones for the 29-year-old.

He missed out on revenge against Mathews when their 2013 rematch ended in a draw. Then, in his first fight with then-WBA champion Darleys Perez, he was on the wrong end of a debatable result.

Yet the disappointment of the majority-draw verdict didn't frustrate Crolla. That he was even standing there in the ring at all that night was a reason to be cheerful.

In December 2014, Crolla suffered a broken ankle and a fractured skull after being hit with a concrete slab when confronting burglars near his home. The incident happened just as he was preparing to face Richar Abril—who held the WBA belt at the time—in January of the following year.

Suddenly, he had to forget about fighting for world titles and instead focus on fighting for his long-term health. It was by no means certain that he would ever step between the ropes again.

Not for the first time, Crolla refused to be beaten. He made a rapid recovery and, just eight months later, was back in action.

Although he felt the judges denied him the win against Perez, he was still able to crack a smile. Considering where he had been, there was no way he was going to fall short at the final hurdle.

    

"Crolla is a tremendous fighter and a tremendous person—he’s getting better with every fight."

Robert Diaz—the matchmaker who negotiated the deal on Linares' behalf—made it clear he understands the threat the home favourite poses to his fighter.

When Mathews stopped Crolla in 2012, few would have predicted unification fights in the latter's future. Even after the initial draw with Perez last year, plenty thought he'd missed his chance at a world title.

Instead, the 29-year-old took the judges out of the equation in the rematch four months later.

The body shot, a left hook, that dethroned the Colombian was a thing of beauty. KO Kings captured the moment on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/KOKINGS4/status/710176076308291584

Against Ismael Barroso in his first defence, Crolla showed his heart. He dared to stand in the eye of the storm and deal with everything that came at him. 

Then, once his opponent had blown himself out, Crolla produced another hammer blow to the body—this time a right hand—to put the gassed Venezuelan out of his misery.

Linares knows now that he cannot afford to leave his ribs exposed.

Yet Crolla isn't really about one-punch power. He is a grinder, someone who chips away at you relentlessly, round after round.

His superb conditioning allows him to cope with such an exhausting style, and eventually both Perez and Barroso wilted in the face of such pressure.

Diaz is right—Crolla is getting better with every fight. You underestimate him at your peril.

   

"Against Linares, he’s got to raise it [his game] again."

Joe Gallagher, Crolla's trainer, was happy not to have to trash-talk for a change. He actually had many kind words to say about Linares, a fighter he admits to being a huge fan of.

His comments were not meant to lure the opponent into a false sense of security either. He knows that while Perez and Barroso were good, the standard of competition has moved up to a new level.

Linares—who has a 63 per cent knockout ratio, per BoxRec—can do damage from distance or up close. Mitchell's swollen face last year, as pictured below, testifies to that.

Don't expect Golden Boy to blow up like Barroso did either, even if he's never actually gone 12 rounds before.

If there is one concern about the visiting fighter, it has to be ring rust.

He has not fought since October 2015, when he knocked out Ivan Cano in Round 4 of his first fight on home soil in more than five years.

Crolla stated how he was "working on bringing something new" to the ring for the big occasion. Tactics will be crucial, and a fast start could be the order of the day.

Linares has been caught cold in the past. Two of his three career defeats—against Juan Carlos Salgado in 2009 and then Sergio Thompson in 2012—came by stoppages inside the first six minutes.

    

"I really do see it as my house."

It will take something special for Crolla to top the night Ricky Hatton defeated Kostya Tszyu in Manchester to become a world champion.

Crolla, however, has been able to channel his inner Hitman in the past, coaxing big crowds to watch him at the Manchester Arena.

He is a local lad who has stayed grounded despite his success. His story is one of hard work and a never-give-up attitude, all done with a smile so dazzling a toothpaste company ought to sponsor him.

What a photo 📸 #crollabarroso @ant_crolla @gallaghersgym @EddieHearn 👊🏻 #Manchester pic.twitter.com/Yev8H79FJz

— BOXING CORNER 2️⃣4️⃣/7️⃣ (@boxingcorner247) May 19, 2016

As for Linares, he is no stranger to having a crowd cheer against him.

He won world titles at featherweight and super featherweight on foreign soil and coped admirably in a pressure situation against Mitchell in London last year.

Yet both Crolla and Gallagher spoke about how Manchester will be different from the O2 Arena, with the latter adding: "If you thought London was mad, just wait till Manchester on September 24."

The locals will be out in full force to cheer on one of their own. Linares insisted he would use headphones to tune them out, but Crolla will feed off the atmosphere from his home crowd.

In difficult times, that support could be crucial.

   

"This is a bit of a legacy fight."

Crolla was the one to mention the word "legacy," a popular phrase in boxing these days that could mean a number of things.

His legacy in Manchester is already secure following the two fights with Perez and the maiden defence against Barroso. They are occasions that will live long in the memory, the type he will be reminded about long after he's hung up his gloves and gone into politics (quite possibly).

Crucially, Crolla stated past glories had not extinguished his appetite for further success. The legacy he craves is to be regarded as the best lightweight on the planet.

Victory over Linares would be enough for the experts at The Ring magazine. Others, though, may need a little more convincing.

The winner on September 24 should, I repeat should, move on to face Dejan Zlaticanin, who took possession of the full WBC strap while Linares was out of action.

As for the other belts, Rances Barthelemy holds the IBF's version of the title, and Terry Flanagan is the WBO's champion.

Crolla knows all about Flanagan. The two are both from Manchester and even went to the same school.

A clash between them would split the city down a footballing divide. While Crolla's allegiances are with the Red Devils, blue is very much the colour for the Manchester City fan Flanagan.

Yet Crolla and Linares could leave a lasting legacy without having to look any further than each other. The former suggested he would happily "go to Vegas for a rematch" if their first bout lives up to expectations.

It should do too. Two similar-styled fighters will square off with plenty on the line, and all without one cross word uttered at each other in the buildup (so far).

They are two proud warriors who believe actions speak louder than words. They'll no doubt be plenty of smiles before and after their showdown—just don't expect there to be any love lost in between. For 12 rounds, they will throw any feelings of respect out the ring.

   

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.

Luke Campbell struck gold in the summer of 2012. Now, four years later, he has his eyes on another prize.

The Englishman was one of many success stories for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympic Games, defeating Irishman John Joe Nevin in the bantamweight final to secure top spot on the podium.

The medal wasn't his only reward. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to boxing, plus Royal Mail commissioned a stamp with his head on. In Hull, the boxer's home city, a postbox and telephone box were painted gold to celebrate the local lad's achievement.

The Olympic wheel has almost turned full circle again. On Friday, the opening ceremony for the 2016 Games takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Britain will have new names hoping to follow in Campbell's footsteps, but the man himself isn't too interested in looking back. His amateur days are done—the focus is on the future as a professional.

"The memories [of the Olympics] will live with me forever. It was a great journey," he said.

"I travelled the world. At times, I didn’t like what I was doing, staying in places where no one had ever been to. But it’s got me where I am today. It was my lifelong dream to be an Olympic champion, and I sacrificed a hell of a lot just to get there. Now, I always try to keep moving forward."

Lightweight Campbell boasts a 14-1 (11 KOs) record in the paid ranks.

On Saturday, he added the biggest name to his list of scalps. At the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England, Campbell climbed off the canvas to beat Argenis Mendez, a former world champion at super featherweight.

The unanimous points success secured the vacant WBC Silver title. He has already held the governing body's International strap and is inside the top 10 in their official rankings. He'd claimed the Commonwealth belt earlier in the year, too, stopping Gary Sykes inside two rounds.

Yet it hasn't always been plain sailing for Campbell since his debut in July 2013. His father's battle with cancer led to him taking time out from his career, while he suffered a shock loss to Yvan Mendy last year. 

His performances since that defeat in December 2015 suggest it was only a temporary blip, though.

Since teaming up with trainer Jorge Rubio on a permanent basis, Campbell has crushed Sykes and seen off Mendez, a tricky opponent who barely bothered to engage after breaking his jaw in Round 4.

Sorry wasn't the best fight to watch, broke Mendez jaw in rnd 4 so understandable he didn't want to trade, good learning fight for me.....

— Luke Campbell MBE (@luke11campbell) July 30, 2016

The fighter-coach relationship developed over a lengthy period of time, as Campbell explained: "I’d done bits and bobs with Jorge for the past year-and-a-half. It was two weeks here, two weeks there, but we seemed to get on really well.

"However long we were together, whether it was two weeks or just 10 days, I was learning from him. I enjoyed working with him and looked forward to going to the gym to work with him."

But, in choosing to work full time with Cuban Rubio—who he calls "George"—Campbell committed to spending lengthy periods away from his young family to work with the trainer at his Miami base. It is tough to leave behind his wife and two young sons, but it's a business decision he had to make.

"That’s the toughest thing about it [working with Rubio]—I have to leave my kids and my wife. That’s the biggest sacrifice I will have to make," he admitted. "I’m a family man. I like being with my kids and my wife. I don’t go out partying here there and everywhere, or drinking. It’s a simple life, but I’m very happy."

Campbell—who has seen former Team GB colleague Anthony Joshua go on to win a world title in the heavyweight division—admits to being in a "good place" ahead of a crucial period in his career.

"I’d like to fight for a world title next year. This year is all about the grind, keeping my head down and working constantly," he added.

The victory over Mendez was another stepping stone toward the top, but the second-round knockdown shows the baby-faced 28-year-old is not the finished article just yet.

https://twitter.com/KOKINGS4/status/759491101682262017

The tests will only get tougher in the future, but Campbell's amateur pedigree—he also won a silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan—has given him a firm foundation to build on.

A southpaw with speed, his counter-punching abilities will be better served against opponents who come at him.

Mendez made it tough to look good, but Campbell at least found a way to triumph.

He told Sky Sports (h/t Matt Horan of SkySports.com) after the bout: "We will see where Eddie Hearn [Campbell's promoter] will take me next, and me and Jorge will keep working and moving forward."

Rubio previously worked with another British Olympic star.

His stint with Amir Khan—who was just a teenager when he won the silver medal at Athens in 2004—was short and not so sweet. Having suggested Breidis Prescott as an ideal opponent in 2008, Rubio saw his young charge flattened inside a round by the heavy-handed Colombian.

He might well have had flashbacks at the weekend when Campbell went down, but his current fighter recovered quickly from the setback.

It was not the first bump in the road since London 2012, but the determined Campbell remains on course to complete the prestigious double of Olympic gold medalist and world champion.

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.

For Terry Flanagan, the wait appears to be over. The understated, somewhat under-appreciated lightweight is set to finally hit the big time.

The WBO champion successfully defended his title on Saturday, unanimously beating Mzonke Fana on points at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff.

The fight was about as enjoyable to watch as the 2006 remake of the classic film The Wicker Man. But, while critics panned Nicolas Cage's performance in the film a decade ago, Flanagan should be spared criticism for his display.

The Englishman had initially been due to appear in his home city of Manchester, England, seven days earlier. However, Tyson Fury's ankle injury put paid to the card at the Manchester Arena.

.@terryflanagan5 improves to 31-0, 12 KOs. #WBO pic.twitter.com/2QkasBcF29

— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) July 16, 2016

Having prepared for action on July 9, Flanagan understandably looked out-of-sorts in the Welsh capital.

There wasn't the usual snap in the southpaw's punches. The accuracy that had been so notable in his two-round demolition of Diego Magdaleno last October was sadly missing.

Too often he cut down the distance to his opponent, resulting in him smothering potential openings. Had he taken a step back, giving him a little more space in which to work, a knockout was there for the taking.

To some extent, though, he wasn't helped by Fana.

While never looking remotely likely to cause an upset, the South African had a method that allowed him to stick around for the full 12 rounds.

A former two-time world champion at super featherweight, the 42-year-old challenger had a habit of ducking low after lurching forward. The tactic led to Flanagan too often pinning down his opponent's head with his right hand while trying to land with the left, leading to warnings from referee Steve Gray for holding.

The Mancunican did score two knockdowns on his way to recording a landslide victory on the scorecards. Bad Left Hook tweeted the verdict:

120-106 x3 for Flanagan

— Bad Left Hook (@badlefthook) July 16, 2016

Yet Flanagan's face at the final bell told the true picture. He wore the expression of a man who realised it was his round next at the bar, only to check his watch and work out happy hour finished five minutes ago.

Sure, he won. But it was a below-par display lacking in sharpness and quality. While far from a heavy hitter, a stoppage victory looked easily achievable against an opponent well past his prime.

The 27-year-old didn't pull any punches when assessing his display during an interview with broadcasters BoxNation (h/t ESPN):

I'm not happy with that performance. I felt flat and I didn't think I was keeping my boxing going for long enough.

If I had I would have taken him out of there. There was no accumulation of punches and I wasn't using the angles but we'll sort it out in the gym. I was falling in and loading up—looking stupid really. I should be taking kids like this to pieces.

At least Flanagan kept hold of his belt. Now he could finally get to face one of the major names in the division.

In his column for the Daily Star, promoter Frank Warren revealed he is "working" on a potential unification clash with WBC champion Dejan Zlaticanin for later in the year.

Zlaticanin is no stranger to Britain. In 2014, he defeated home-favourite Ricky Burns on points in Glasgow, Scotland. The split-decision verdict was generous—the Montenegrin was a deserved winner after 12 rounds.

After toiling against Fana, Flanagan would relish the opportunity to face his fellow southpaw.

A victory would add a second belt and push him towards the top of the pile in a packed lightweight division.

Anthony Crolla—Flanagan's former schoolmate in Manchester—and Jorge Linares fight for The Ring magazine crown in September. The stage would be set for the winner of that bout to meet the winner of Flanagan and Zlaticanin's fight early in 2017, deciding who is the best at 135 pounds.

Yet there is another name who could figure in Flanagan's future—Vasyl Lomachenko.

Having become a two-weight world champion by dethroning WBO champion Roman Martinez in June, Ukrainian Lomachenko may not hang around at super featherweight for too long.

According to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, Bob Arum—Lomachenko's promoter—said: "I talked to [Warren] and we’re discussing early next year in Lomachenko’s ninth or tenth fight, sending him over to England to fight Terry Flanagan for the WBO lightweight title.

"That will be interesting. [Warren] is excited about that."

Flanagan is excited by the idea too.

On the prospect of facing Lomachenko, he said, per Chris McKenna of the Express: "I would love fights like that. People will laugh at me calling people out after that performance, they will say ‘Lomachenko would stop him in this round, or he wouldn’t last this long’ but wait until you see me at my best."

Turbo Terry barely hit third gear against Fana. If it is Zlaticanin next, he will need to be at full speed.

There is certainly more to come from Flanagan, and facing a higher standard of opponent could well bring out the best in him.

However, he is a world champion who still needs to prove he belongs at the top.

Follow @RobLancs79

No one can ever accuse Anthony Crolla of taking the easy option.

After needing two attempts to dethrone WBA champion Darleys Perez (their first meeting ended in a controversial draw), the lightweight took on the dangerous Ismael Barroso in his first defence.

In choosing to stand in the eye of a storm by meeting Barroso in the centre of the ring, Crolla not only showed tremendous heart but also a clever boxing brain.

He took everything the challenger could throw at him, allowing his rival to punch himself out in the hope of forcing a stoppage.

Then, with Barroso blowing up, he landed a body shot in Round 7 that emphatically ended the bout. Job done.

If Crolla had selected a soft option for his second defence, few would have criticised him.

However, considering the man once risked not only his career but also his life to try and prevent a burglary, he's clearly not one to back down from a challenge.

On Tuesday, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed Crolla will go up against Jorge Linares in Manchester, England, on September 24. The official press release described it as a "huge unification blockbuster," even though Linares doesn't actually have hold of the WBC belt right now.

The deal sees Crolla jump out of the frying pan and straight into the fire.

Barroso—a heavy-handed southpaw—provided a serious threat. The Venezuelan had enhanced his reputation by stopping Kevin Mitchell in December 2015, a result that sent his opponent into retirement.

But there were holes in Barroso's record. He had fought sporadically at times since turning pro, while there were question marks over the standard of some of the opponents he had faced.

He was either boxing's best-kept secret at lightweight or, more likely, had simply been in the right place at the right time to defeat a faded force in Mitchell.

With Linares, there are no such doubts. He is a proven performer at the highest level and is the WBC's champion in recess.

Just like his fellow Venezuelan, Linares is best known to British fans for beating Mitchell. Their styles meshed perfectly in May 2015 as they produced a classic in London: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ezmUIuFi_0

Mitchell looked on course to become a world champion when he scored a knockdown in Round 5. However, Linares found a way to get up before going on to retain his WBC title, stopping his rival in Round 10.

It was a brutal battle. Mitchell was left with a welt so large over his left eye that it would have needed its own seat on an aeroplane.

By coming out on top that night, Linares proved his toughness.

But, as Crolla told Sky Sports, the man nicknamed El Nino de Oro is far more than just a brave warrior:

Linares is a fantastic fighter. Technically, he's brilliant and I'm a fan of his. Like all fighters, though, he's got vulnerabilities and I plan to take advantage of those.

I know how good Linares is technically—he's got great feet. I've watched and admired him for many years but I won't be overawed when I get in there. Respect will go out the window from that first bell.

I know what a tough fight it will be but I'll make sure I'm in the best possible place to prove myself as the best lightweight in the world on the night.

Linares had to relinquish his grip on the WBC belt due to a broken hand. He hopes to make sure it is no more than a temporary parting of the ways.

Dejan Zlaticanin had been due to face Linares before the latter hurt himself in training. Instead he fought Franklin Mamani, stopping his opponent in Round 3 to pick up the vacant title last weekend.

The Montenegrin now lies in wait for the winner of the fight in Manchester, meaning Crolla could end up facing four highly ranked lightweights (Perez-Barroso-Linares-Zlaticanin) in the space of just over a year.

Out of respect for Linares losing his strap outside of the ring, the WBC have put a diamond title up for grabs in September.

The Ring magazine have also confirmed their vacant lightweight crown will be on offer. The publication outlined their reasons behind the decision in a story by Michael Rosenthal:

One, we feel Linares-Crolla is without question a championship-caliber matchup between two hot fighters.

Two, we feel there is a thin line between Zlaticanin (22-0, 15 knockouts) and Crolla (31-4-3, 13 KOs), who holds the WBA title. Zlaticanin has had some important wins—most notably over Ricky Burns and Ivan Redkach—but Crolla also is on a strong run, having stopped Darleys Perez and Ismael Barosso in succession.

And, three, we feel it is likely Zlaticanin will fight the winner of Linares-Crolla for the RING championship in what we hope will amount to a something akin to a three-man, round-robin tournament.

For Crolla, this is all fairytale stuff.

The 29-year-old told James Robson of the Manchester Evening News: "I’m having to pinch myself after everything that’s happened. I’m fighting the number one fighter in the division for the WBC, WBA and Ring titles. It doesn’t get any better than this."

At one stage, his career seemed to be going no further than domestic level.

In 2012, he lost his British title to Derry Mathews. Later that same year he was part of a Prizefighter tournament, an eight-man event with a winner-takes-all kitty of £32,000. He didn't win.

In 2014, his career looked like it could be over due to injury. Struck by a concrete slab when trying to tackle two burglars, he suffered a fractured skull and broken ankle. His trainer, Joe Gallagher, admitted he "could have been killed," per Gareth A Davies of the Telegraph.

Yet Crolla has fought back from adversity to fulfil a dream and become a world champion. He has cleared every hurdle put in front of him, mentally and physically.

He certainly has the respect of his peers. In fact, he's so popular he should change his nickname from Million Dollar to the Nicest Man in Boxing.

Absolutely over the moon for @ant_crolla . The nicest guy in boxing just became a superstar . Well done pal 👌👊 #andstill #skysportsboxing

— Brian Rose (@Brian_Lion_Rose) May 7, 2016

@ant_crolla nicest kid in boxing well done Babi 👊🏾

— Kell Brook (@SpecialKBrook) May 7, 2016

All about the man @ant_crolla tonight! Everyone get behind the nicest man in boxing! Good luck champ. #AndStill

— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) May 7, 2016

Like his rival, Linares has had setbacks in his career.

Juan Carlos Salgado ended his reign as WBA super featherweight champion inside a round in 2009. There were then back-to-back defeats at lightweight against Antonio DeMarco and Sergio Thompson, too.

He was in danger of losing his way, as Kelsey McCarson pointed out last year for Bleacher Report.

Yet Linares has recovered impressively to reach the top again, becoming a three-weight world champion by knocking out Javier Prieto in 2014.

He can no doubt sympathise with what Crolla has been through in the ring, though there will be no sympathy shown when the bell rings on September 24.

Instead, two well-respected, and extremely respectful, fighters will give it their all to prove themselves as the best around at 135 pounds.

Crolla's rise to the top could have been scripted for a movie, although that doesn't mean he's certain to get a happy ending.

But, whatever the outcome, he will likely crack a smile in the aftermath. He cannot help it—it's in his nature.

Then again, you wouldn't expect anything else from the Nicest Man in Boxing, would you?

Anthony Crolla faces a tricky first defence of his WBA lightweight title on Saturday, as he goes up against unbeaten challenger Ismael Barroso in Manchester, England.

Million Dollar Crolla claimed the belt with a stoppage win over Darleys Perez at the Manchester Arena in November 2015.

Now he returns to the same venue to face Barroso, the man who put an end to Kevin Mitchell's world-title hopes with a TKO victory over the Englishman at the end of last year.

Read Bleacher Report's live blog of the main fights below:

Anthony Crolla makes the first defence of his WBA lightweight title against Ismael Barroso on Saturday at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Local boy Crolla (30-4-3, 12 KOs) returns to the venue where he became champion with a stoppage win over Darleys Perez in November 2015.

Venezuelan Barroso (19-0-2, 18 KOs), a big-hitting southpaw, was last seen stopping Kevin Mitchell in London at the end of last year, with the result sending his opponent into retirement.

On the undercard at the weekend, Martin Murray warms up for his upcoming bout against George Groves with an eight-rounder against Cedric Spera, while Tommy Coyle and Paul Smith are also in action.

Bleacher Report will bring you updates of the main fights from Manchester via our live blog, which will get under way at 8:30 p.m. BST (3:30 p.m. ET).

When: Saturday, May 7, at 10 p.m. BST (5 p.m. ET)

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

TV: Sky Sports (UK), AWE (U.S.)

Live Stream: SkyGo (UK)

Underdog Status

You can never accuse Crolla of having it easy.

When the Mancunian failed to beat Derry Mathews in their two British-title bouts, losing the first in 2012 before the rematch in 2013 was scored a draw, it seemed he might forever be stuck at domestic level.

He responded impressively to move to the brink of a world-title challenge, only for his career to be put in jeopardy when he tried to foil a burglary in December 2014.

Hit with a concrete slab, Crolla suffered a fractured skull and broke his ankle in two places. His trainer, Joe Gallagher, told BBC Radio 5 live (h/t Michael Emons of BBC Sport) Crolla was "lucky to be alive."

Thankfully, the fighter battled back. He made a full recovery and returned to the ring in July 2015.

However, the 29-year-old suffered yet another setback when his comeback bout with then-WBA champion Perez was dubiously scored a majority draw.

In the rematch, Crolla took the judges out of the equation. A left hook to the body left Colombian Perez unable to recover in time to beat the count in Round 5.

Now Million Dollar faces Barroso, a heavy-handed foe with an 86 per cent knockout ratio, per BoxRec.

According to Odds Shark, Barroso is the 11-10 favourite, even though he's heading into the champion's back yard.

Crolla is unconcerned by the odds, per Matchroom Boxing: "I’ve been the underdog a lot in my career and it’s worked well for me, I’ve thrived off it. It’s not often the world champion is the underdog when he defends a title, but here we are. I’ve proved people wrong and I will keep doing it."

But, as he has shown in the past, Crolla is not someone who backs down from a challenge.

Flash In The Pan?

Barroso was something of an unknown quantity when he turned up to face Mitchell last year.

The 33-year-old had been a pro for a decade but had barely made a ripple in the lightweight division. His record was full of knockout wins, yet it contained few names of real note.

There were periods of inactivity: He fought just once in 2009 and 2010, and then had five bouts in 2011.

It was tough to know quite what to expect when he stepped between the ropes at the O2 Arena in the English capital. It soon became clear Barroso was more than just a crude southpaw slugger.

He took a faded Mitchell apart, forcing a TKO win in Round 5 to become the WBA's interim champion.

However Mitchell—who has since hung up his gloves—believes Crolla can succeed where he failed.

The Londoner told Sky Sports (h/t Isaac Robinson of SkySports.com):

Just because Barroso did that to me, doesn't mean he's going to do it to Crolla. I was written off when I fought Breidis Prescott because he knocked Amir Khan out and I pulled that one out of the bag as a bigger underdog.

Crolla has to box smart, keep to his jab and avoid throwing combinations of more than three punches. He needs to move his feet and give him angles but not back off too much otherwise Barroso will just run at him. He's got to stick to it.

Barroso, meanwhile, sounded confident at Thursday's final press conference, according to Matchroom Sports on Twitter:

Barroso: This is going to be a war and I will win!

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) May 5, 2016

Barroso: When I knocked Mitchell out I was just getting warmed up!
I'm the best Lightweight in the world!

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) May 5, 2016

Is Barroso as good as his last result suggested, or was that outcome as much to do with Mitchell's declined state?

We should have the answer to that question after the main event on Saturday.

Prediction

Crolla was at ringside to watch Barroso beat Mitchell, so he's seen up close what his opponent is capable of.

This time, though, the Venezuelan will face an Englishman still in his prime, rather than one at the tail-end of a career.

Crolla, along with trainer Gallagher, will have devised a plan to avoid being on the wrong end of any power shots, as well as coping with the southpaw stance.

Barroso has never gone 12 rounds before, but expect Crolla to take him the distance. The champion's lack of power means he will have to settle for a close points win.