At the Manchester Arena, UK, Anthony Crolla set the record straight with Darleys Perez, knocking out his former foe. Akin to Crolla’s first encounter in July, he put in an inspired performance from the first bell, the difference being an exclamation point victory courtesy of a left hook to the body in the 5th. Boxing Base had it scored 40-36 at that time.
Crolla, who wears the alias ‘Million Dollar’, has now completed his Cinderella story, removing all doubts and picking up his first world title. Crolla’s partisan fans filled the arena with cheers, having just witnessed another homegrown talent become a champion: the WBA Lightweight strap comes home to Manchester tonight.
Columbia’s Perez, who didn’t shame himself in this hotly anticipated rematch, was quite simply overworked tonight, getting picked off with greater frequency as they fight wore on. Crolla set a high tempo in the opener, scoring with the jab, while Perez, a naturally inclined counterpuncher, struggled to get comfortable. In the 2nd and 3rd rounds, Perez did, deciding to trade inside the pocket with his busy opponent. The rounds were close, but again, Crolla was the ring general, setting the pace, landing the crisper shots.
Crolla began to get to Perez in the 4th, with his downstairs attack and combinations to the head making considerable dents. And not long after the 5th began, Crolla’s left hand dug into Perez’s side, dropping the stone-faced fighter for the count.
With a world title in tow, Crolla can now start calling some shots at 135 lbs. There’s plenty of decent talent at world level, but I’ve a feeling some strings might get pulled to produce a domestic dustup with Kevin Mitchell who’ll be taking on Ismael Barroso on December’s Joshua-Whyte card. Crolla vs Mitchell would be highly competitive on paper, and a huge event in the UK. Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom Boxing, represents both fighters, so it shouldn’t prove too difficult to setup.
Hearn also represents Gold Medalist, Luke Campbell, who is also a (less likely) possibility. Staying on UK shores, there’s also Terry Flanagan, the WBO’s Lightweight champ, who recently obliterated Diego Magdaleno in October. Of course, there is the possibility that Crolla will chase an international Top 10 fighter, or more likely, have them flyed in. Hearn has a good history of doing that.
Anthony Crolla now improves to 30 wins, 4 defeats, 3 draw, 12 knockouts, while Darleys Perez falls to 32 wins, 2 defeats, 1 draw, 20 knockouts.
What’s your take on Crolla vs Perez II, boxing fans? Plus the rest of the undercard action from Manchester?.
