Anthony Crolla knocked out Darleys Perez to become WBA world lightweight champion in Manchester.
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This time, Crolla left no doubt, ending the fight with a body shot in the fifth round to take home the WBA belt.
Anthony Crolla says he never lost his belief despite the newly-crowned world champion being left with a fractured skull when confronting burglars at a neighbour’s house a year ago. It’s even better than I dreamt.
Murray was deducted a point, after a couple of warnings, in the 11th for using the shoulder, which all but ended the 33-year-old’s hopes.
Wayne Rooney led the congratulations for Anthony Crolla after the Manchester United fan’s stunning world title win.
That cost him a world title fight in February and when promoter Eddie Hearn landed him Perez in July, he then suffered more agony when he was denied by a majority draw decision. It is better than I ever dreamed it would be. I didn’t know it was going to be this good.
Perez shook as his head as he fell to the canvas, remaining on his knees as the 10-count was completed, sealing only his second defeat after 32 wins and a draw.
“I believe I’m getting stronger all the time and I was always confident I would get Darleys Perez out of there, but I thought it would be a head shot that would do it”, Crolla told Sky Sports in the ring. But I have watched it back since with (trainer) Joe (Gallagher) over the last few weeks, time and time again, looking at what to work on for the fight to get the title this time.
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“But I’m sure there are a few huge showdowns, whether they are domestic showdowns or unification showdowns against other world champions”. A lot of people had given up on me when I went to him and I’m so thankful. I just have to thank the team around me.
