According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBA Lightweight champion Richar Abril will defend his crown against Englishman Anthony Crolla on January 23 in Manchester, England.
“To have the world title shot in Manchester is a huge factor,” Crolla said. “Without wanting to sound cheesy, it doesn’t get any bigger than that. I am a Manchester lad so to be fighting in Manchester for a world title, I couldn’t ask for anything more and the only way it could get better than that is to go out there and win it.
“I have been watching a bit of Abril over the last year because we have been linked with a fight before, but I will watch a lot more of him after tonight. He is a very good champion. He is avoided for a reason. He came onto the scene when he fought Brandon Rios and everybody except the judges that night could see he won clearly. He is a very good fighter, a well-schooled amateur and nice and relaxed.”
“It is a very big ask, but there will be a few factors in my favor (against Abril) like being in my hometown, which will bring an extra 25 percent out of me,” Crolla said. “In training I will have an extra edge to me because I won’t have a problem getting out of bed in the morning knowing there is a world title at stake.
“I really believe deep down that I can win that fight and become a world champion. I am under no illusions — it is a tough fight and I go in a big underdog. But it is a fight I am capable of winning and the setting couldn’t be any better. To do it in front of my home fans really is the stuff dreams are made of.”
