UK lightweight Anthony Crolla (29-4-3, 11 KO’s) would be the WBA World champion right now if it wasn’t for a mind-boggling draw decision that allowed the Columbian Darleys Perez (32-1-1, 20 KO’s) to keep his belt when the pair fought on July 18th.
The sanctioning body reviewed the decision and ordered an immediate rematch, and if that plays out the same way as the first, Crolla will come out with a shiny new belt.
It was a high-profile return for Crolla and his Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn had him ringside with the Sky punditry team last weekend to comment on two of his domestic rivals in their much-awaited clash.
Hull’s Luke Campbell (12-0, 10 KO’s) and Tommy Coyle (21-3, 10 KO’s) fought in a 10-round bout in front of their home supporters, with the Olympic gold medalist Campbell exacting a controlled, patient, anatomizing performance and forcing the stoppage two rounds inside the scheduled distance.
Crolla was impressed and told Boxingnewsonline.net that Campbell is well able to replicate his amateur successes in the pro ranks, and that he would be willing to accept a challenge from that direction in the near future provided Campbell shows he belongs.
“He’s got the talent now, to fight for a world title, I just feel that he’s got time on his side.”
“Let him just have a few more learning fights to make sure that once he gets there he stays there.”
“If we both keep winning I think it’s [a fight between the two] inevitable.”
Campbell and Coyle’s fight was billed as a ‘world title eliminator’ with the WBC’s international trinket up for grabs. The full title for that sanctioning body is held by Jorge Linares who stopped Kevin Mitchell on another Matchroom show in May to defend his title. It appears Campbell is heading in that direction.
However, Eddie Hearn could deem it a more prudent plan to make a big domestic world title fight between Crolla and Campbell (provided all the necessary pieces fall into place) instead of bringing Linares back into the fold. That will mean another bumper PPV card for the UK fans to enjoy/denigrate/lament, and probably an easier route to world honours for Campbell.
