Anthony Crolla (31-5-3 13KOs) will rematch with Jorge Linares (41-3 27KOs) for the WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine World lightweight titles at the Manchester Arena on March 25th, live on Sky Sports.
Crolla and Linares met in the same venue for the belts last September with the Venezuelan coming out on top in an enthralling contest, ending the brilliant winning run of ‘Million Dollar’ who claimed the title with a stoppage win over Darleys Perez in November 2015 before destroying dangerous Ismael Barroso six months later in May.
It will be Crolla’s 11th fight at the formerly titled M.E.N Arena, originally debuting there back in 2006 with Joe Calzaghe topping the bill.
The 30-year-old Mancunian is delighted to get a second crack at the classy Linares, known as ‘The Golden Boy’, and believes he’s better placed to regain his title following their first meeting.
BBN asked their panel of experts consisting of professional boxers, promoters, managers and trainers who they predict will win this eagerly-awaited rematch…
Mickey EllisonUnbeaten light-heavyweight
“I think it's gonna' be a tough fight for them both, but I'm going with Crolla. British boxing's on a high and hope he gets the win on the night.”
Nathan WeiseSouthern Area title contender
“Linares is a bit special. I do like Crolla but sometimes you just come up against an all-round better boxer.”
Paul HilzBritish Challenge belt super-middleweight champion
“I think Linares wins this. I think he’s that little bit more schooled and experienced than Crolla. Knowing what he does after that first fight, I think he’ll bring the perfect game-plan!”
Mark TibbsProfessional Boxing Trainer
“I did fancy Crolla in the first fight but I got it wrong. I’m gonna’ go again with him, big desire from Crolla, not sure he can bring anything else to the table but Linares’s flame could die out.”
Tommy LangfordBritish middleweight champion
“I hope Crolla wins but I’m siding with Linares.”
Jamie ArlainBritish Challenge belt lightweight champion
“I think Linares is on a different level to Crolla. He knows what he’s up against this time round so I think he could even stop him in round seven or eight.”
Louis RobinsonHeavyweight prospect
"As much as I'd love to see Crolla do the business and get the win, I just don't think the result changes from the first fight, hopefully I'm wrong and he does revenge that loss as will be great to see and no one deserves it more than him."
Ben DaySouthern Area super-lightweight champion
"Linares for me – he's quality. I want to fight Crolla myself, my awkwardness would be too much for him."
Tim RicksonTR Sports Agency
“Linares is a class act, he can go up and down in gears like it’s nothing to him, and, for me, he is just that level above Crolla.
I want Crolla to win, I’ll be supporting him and cheering him on, and I also believe that it will be a very close, competitive fight, even closer than the first, I’d imagine.
I believe it will be the same result as before – points win to Linares.”
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