Manchester boxer Anthony Crolla set for March re-match

Manchester boxer Anthony Crolla has been granted a home re-match against the fighter who stole his WBA lightweight title.

Crolla, 30, will meet Jorge Linares at the Manchester Arena on March 25.

Crolla and Linares met in the same venue in September. The Venezuelan came out on top in an enthralling contest, ending the 10-bout winning run of ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla, who claimed the title with a stoppage win over Darleys Perez in November 2015 before destroying dangerous Ismael Barroso in May.

The clash will be for the WBA and WBC Diamond & Ring Magazine world lightweight titles.

The 30 year old is delighted to get a second crack at the classy Linares, and believes he’s better placed to regain his title following their first meeting.

“There had been lots of talk on the rematch since the first fight with Jorge so I’m delighted to finally get this announced,” said Crolla. “I’ve been in the gym right the way up to Christmas even though the fight is a little bit of a while off.

''I’m working hard and making improvements, I will have to show improvements in the rematch if I am to win. I came up short on the night against the better man - with those improvements I believe I can change the result this time around.

“I see Jorge as the best Lightweight in the world and I want to be the best Lightweight in the world.

“The better the opponent, the better I will perform. I’m improving still as a fighter and athlete despite turning 30 recently. I want to be remembered as being someone who took on the best around and being mentioned in the same breath as them.”

“I am really excited to be going back to Manchester,” said Linares. “I was treated very well by everyone and gained a lot of new British fans. Crolla is a tremendous fighter with a lot of heart so I know I must train twice as hard for another tough fight.''

''I promise another great performance and assure that the belts are returning home with me.”