Anthony Crolla - A Credit To Boxing

[Spud]

I appreciate there are many boxers like Anthony Crolla - however just wanted to say what a credit he is to boxing!!!

The way the lad handles himself in front of the camera's is top notch in my view.

After beating Andy Morris and then beating John Watson by stepping up a weight shows in my view tremendous ambition. Money is not that good at that weight until you actually win titles and even then you need to defend a few times to keep the bank manager happy.

I thought Crolla's defence against Watson was very good - Watson is a very accurate puncher and I thought there was a chance he could take Crolla apart in the later rounds once the gloves started to come down - however Crolla kept his concentration extremely well and I actually believe he will be a nightmare to fight against for any future opponent.

In addition - you have to give a lot of credit to Mr Gallagher and Kerry Kayes - they really did have Crolla prepared for this one.

[Chris W 1982]

Can I 2nd this post?

When Watson was down receiving emergency treatment, Crolla urged all his fans to remain seated and not celebrate. An absolute gentleman and a credit to the sport.

Long may your reign continue.

[GlobalBox]

I have to say I thought Crolla was excellent last night, actually thought his facial expression started to change about a round before he actually got the finish and it looked as if he was really having to dig in to keep himself together (to me) but by god did he do it and was not to be denied.

Its all assumptions but you have to think he works often with John Murray and has total belief in his own abilities to box and fight and handle any situation put in front of him.

The only question for me now is how far does he go because I think we have a very decent domestic fighter who will be around the home scene for many years even as he gets older, can he move onto the European scene once John Murray has moved for a world title fight which must come if he beats Mitchell.

Going to answer my own question and say yes he can, he would not be frightened of Mezaache still ranked top 5 and he held the title, Rees may still be mandatory for the Euro and can't see how he frightens Crolla either.

First to hold my hands up when I am wrong and boy did I underestimate this kid, fast improving, got a lot of what you need and seems to really want it.

Good luck Anthony.

[Insider]

Crolla was a class act last night. I've always liked him, & hes usually in good fights. But he made a fan out of me last night. Am looking forward to his first title defence.

[Jeff Thomas]

I've always liked crolla, proper nice kid but last night was the first time hrs ever looked potential world class for me- that was tremendous. Absolutely can't wait for his next fight if that's the type of action were gonna get

[Gibbo75]

He's a class act. I don't know who i'd rather see him fight next, a rematch with Sykes or stay at lightweight and fight Rees. Both would be excellent fights.

[orbtastic]

Yeah, he has some class.

[liamlion]

Yeah, good post. Watching Crolla last night, I wanted to come on here and post my appreciation of him. Great, great performance from the lad.

When he started his career he had a wee bit of hype and I didnt see anything special in him at all. I thought he was one-dimensional, predictable and a bit of a plodder. This I thought was confirmed in his defeat to Al Hamidi.

But Crolla has really developed and Im now a really big fan of the kid. He's very tough and relentless, obviously he's started to develop a bit of man strength and sparring with John Murray really shows. I wish the lad nothing but the best and really look forward to his next fight. It was said so many times on tv last night, but he is an 'old school' fighter and that is good to see.

I also liked the fact that when interviewed after the fight, Gavin Rees showed due respect to Crolla's performance and didnt try and act the big man.

[Deno1986]

I agree, fantastic performance and a gent. The fact he is only 23 would indicate he has a very bright future in the sport. Best of luck to him and also well done to Joe Gallagher and the team.

[Yes We Can]

Not afraid to admit i thought this would be the match up that ended Joe Gallachers unbeaten streak. Massive achievment stepping up, and at what 2-3 weeks notice???

[Bomber 1]

Class act, he done great and has to be one of tHe nicest kids in the game, he is without doubt the most improved kid in the country.. He's always had tins of ability but he is now starting to believe in himself which is making him so much more dangerous!! Credit must go to him.. I'd love to see him win it outright now too!! Well done Ant!!!

[palooka]

The heavyweight boxers such as Haye, Fury, Chisora etc could learn a lot through watching how some of the lighter weight boxers behave, obviously including Anthony Crolla. There are a few who are a credit to themselves, their camps and their fans. Their behaviour is a massive positive for the sport.

[$wifty]

The lad has come on so much. His defence is brilliant and he works so hard his fitness is unbelievable! All couldnt happen to a nicer lad, he deserves everything he gets out of boxing! Well done Crolla x

[johnnygreaves]

Crolla,s nice guy attitude is Deffo not an act for the cameras. After beating me we stayed in contact for a while and even now when we bump into one another he always makes a point of coming over to talk. I thought john would ne too big for him, I've boxed john too & he is also a good guy. But ant really deserves all the praise in the world. Good luck to a top man!

[Arnie]

Made up for him, top lad 

[Frankie Gavin]

Well done mate

[Kit]

What I like about him is that he suffered a few early defeats, took them on board, improved and came back a better fighter.
Just goes to show that the zero is purely cosmetic. Didn't Warren drop him after his loss to Sykes?

[Old bones Ian]

Will he stay a lightweight? I was surprised how big he looked last night, didn't look like a superfeather coming up in weight at all.

He showed class in his celebrations last night, and comes across as a decent man in interviews. Has great self belief in himself without it crossing over to arrogance.

I think if he can still make superfeather then he should look at getting a rematch against Sykes, but if he's staying at lightweight a match against Ree's would be very interesting.

[Floatlikeabutterfly]

Class act all round, I thought Watson would be too big, but Crolla took everything John threw at him and boxed brilliant. he had a lot of support at the Olympia last night, and when Watson went down and the fight was stopped, he did`nt run around celebrating, he calmed his crowd down till John got up. Good luck for the future Anthony

[TheCobra]

Massively improved boxer, he always had loads of talent but the environment he is in now has refined that talent and made him a much more rounded fighter.

Joe Gallagher - tactical side, refining the skills and Crolla's gameplans for his last few fights have been perfect.
Kerry Kayes - The strength of Crolla has really improved, gota credit some of that to Kayes
Sparring - The sparring in that gym must be great - John Murray and Joe Murray is a pretty high level of sparring to have around that weight.

Adds up to Crolla looking like one of the most improved fighters around at the moment, hope he continues it!

[warmachine]

brilliant fight and top marks to Crolla for an outstanding performance. Also John Watson did himself proud by trying his best on the night. Both are a credit to british boxing

[alexpaterson]

He's such a good fighter kind of reminded me on Julio Cesar Chavez with his patience, works the jab to get inside and whipping in the body shots and his really excellent defence, he moves his head a little bit to slip and counter and always has his hands tight. I really do think if he can still easily make Super Featherweight then he should move back down try for a rematch with Sykes (though everyone seems to want to fight him.) or maybe even Foster JR IMO he would be a worthy challenger I really do think he's a Euro level fighter.

[jBacca]

Was in Watson's corner, but have always liked Million Dollar. Last night proved the quality of a person he is. Deserved the win, can't begrudge him that.

Just like to see that Joe G is absolutely fantastic. I CANNOT wait to see what he does for Swifty!!!

[leforge]

Very good performance by crolla. He shoukd stay at lightweight him v rees be a good fight.

[goldenears]

was at the fight last night, and it was fantastic.

Brilliant atmosphere, nothing like small hall boxing with 2 sets of partisan fans and 2 absolute warriors going toe to toe, fighting with both technical skill and masses of heart and hunger. The whole place was on its feet for large periods of the fight and it was electric.

Having been to Old Trafford and seen Rooney win a tight match with a truly legendary goal on the same day, I thought the evening would be hard to live up to the afternoon, but it wasn't. This was domestic boxing at its best. 2 fighters so hungry to win that even when they were hurting they were finding the inner strength to throw combinations in response to a flurry from the other. Crollas confidence, fitness, pressure, defence and guts against a naturally bigger man were so impressive, he's a fighter who seems to be growing with each fight and he's got the potential to be a real star in the game IMHO. He's crowdpleasing, likeable and has a lot of class.

Watson gave his all and deserves all the credit in the world too for his part in one of what will be one of the best domestic dust ups this year.

Coming out of the hall I said to my mates I thought that he wouldn't be fighting in front of crowds that small for much longer. Any boxing fans who watched that last night must be looking forward to his next outing and excited about where he can go if he keeps working hard and improving.. What a job that gym is doing with it's fighters.

About time they all got some recognition outside of the tightknit world of boxing, this sort of unbeaten run is an incredible sporting achievement.