The WBC Diamond king is undaunted about fighting Crolla in front of his home fans at Manchester Arena on Saturday night, and is adamant he will win the Ring magazine belt to become the division’s No 1. Every time I fight in Japan or Venezuela there’s actually more pressure on me.
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Linares, 31, stopped Crolla’s fellow Englishman Kevin Mitchell at The O2 in London on his last visit to the United Kingdom in May 2015, and the Venezuelan says the Mancunian crowd will inspire him.
He said: “The support I get from around the city and all over Britain is wonderful”. That’s what’s going to motivate me and make this wonderful story. I’ve got to take advantage of some weaknesses that I think I’ve seen there. “I’m confident I can do that”, said Crolla, who hasn’t lost since his split decision defeat against Gary Sykes in 2012. “That’s what true champions do”.
Crolla, (31-4-3) became champion after stopping the very risky Colombian Darleys Perez in November 2015. Linares is coming off a knockout win over Ivan Cano of Mexico a year ago.
In February of this year, the 30-year-old was stripped of his WBC title due to his inability to fulfil the mandatory requirements due to a fractured right hand.
Linares (40-0-3, 27 KOs) was stripped of his WBC belt due to an injury, and will provide Crolla with a stern test. I loved him dearly.
As well as Crolla’s WBA belt, the coveted Ring magazine lightweight belt will also be up for grabs on Saturday.
And he also fought on these shores past year when he stopped Londoner Kevin Mitchell at the O2 in 10 rounds.
On the undercard, London’s John Ryder defends his lightly-regarded WBA International middleweight title against Jack Arnfield of Blackpool.
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Callum Johnson lands his first title action against Willbeforce Shihepo for the Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title, unbeaten Light-Heavyweight Hosea Burton will be in title action Conor Benn tastes his fifth night of action in the paid ranks.
