Having gained the lightweight belt back in November after stopping Darleys Perez in impressive fashion, Crolla continued to show his class with a seventh round knockout of Ismael Barroso in what was the first defence of his title. Meanwhile, Linares was recently stripped of his WBC crown after suffering a hand injury which prevented him from facing mandatory fighter Dejan Zlaticanin.
Despite having a raucous Manchester crowd backing him against Linares, Crolla believes that he will be the underdog against his Venezuelan opponent, something that the Brit is not concerned about.
With little to choose between the two fighters, bookmakers Coral offer Crolla as the 8/11 favourite, ahead of Linares who is given odds of 11/10 to claim victory. Crolla’s trainer Joe Gallagher has played down his chances, however, stating that it is widely regarded that Linares is the best lightweight in the world currently.
With many expecting fireworks between the duo when they meet in Manchester of September 24, the odds on a knockout from Coral may well come into prominence in the build up to the fight.
Elsewhere in the lightweight division, WBO Champion Terry Flanagan has accused Crolla of ducking out of a potential fight between the two, with promoter Frank Warren desperate for the pair to get into the ring together. Flanagan defeated Derry Mathews on points to defend his title last time around, and a potential fight with Crolla is expected to materialise should both men win their next bouts. Crolla is the current favourite in Coral’s boxing betting preview market for such a fight.
Flanagan defeated Derry Mathews on points to defend his title last time around, and a potential fight with Crolla is expected to materialise should both men win their next bouts. Crolla is the current favourite in Coral’s boxing betting preview market for such a fight.
Elsewhere, despite Tyson Fury withdrawing from his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko due to injury, it is still worth taking a look at this preview ahead of the big night, with an announcement on a rescheduling expected in the coming weeks. Fury has also had to deal with damaging reports regarding the use of prohibited substances over recent days, with both himself and cousin Hughie denying any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, a potential bout with Anthony Joshua looks likely to be pushed back until next year as a result of Fury’s injury, with the former Olympic gold
Meanwhile, a potential bout with Anthony Joshua looks likely to be pushed back until next year as a result of Fury’s injury, with the former Olympic gold medalist now due to fight New Zealand’s Joseph Parker. Joshua is the 4/5 favourite with Coral for a potential future fight with his compatriot, while Fury the 20/21 underdog to overcome Klitschko for a second time.
Klitschko has recently stated that he resents giving Fury the platform on the heavyweight scene, and has vowed to end the British fighters time at the top. Fury has attracted large amounts of negative media attention since gaining the title, and Klitschko strongly believes that he is a better role model for the boxing community.
