Future for Crolla

[winkveron]

Firstly, I'm a big fan. But he now has 3 losses and has yet to step above British level. I know losses aren't the be-all and end-all but is 3 a lot for someone still at domestic level?

What do you all think? Is there still a chance for him to achieve Euro/World honours as his camp believe? Or has he found his level as a decent domestic level operator?

[Counter-puncher]

Firstly, I'm a big fan. But he now has 3 losses and has yet to step above British level. I know losses aren't the be-all and end-all but is 3 a lot for someone still at domestic level?

What do you all think? Is there still a chance for him to achieve Euro/World honours as his camp believe? Or has he found his level as a decent domestic level operator?

mmm. borderline. if the likes of Steve Foster jr can get Euro title shots, i don't see why Crolla couldn't. i really don't see him going any further, though.

[safeerah]

Firstly, I'm a big fan. But he now has 3 losses and has yet to step above British level. I know losses aren't the be-all and end-all but is 3 a lot for someone still at domestic level?

What do you all think? Is there still a chance for him to achieve Euro/World honours as his camp believe? Or has he found his level as a decent domestic level operator?

mmm. borderline. if the likes of Steve Foster jr can get Euro title shots, i don't see why Crolla couldn't. i really don't see him going any further, though.

Crolla is a really good boxer, but stands in front of people trading now like Murray, it can only get you so far.

[Counter-puncher]

Firstly, I'm a big fan. But he now has 3 losses and has yet to step above British level. I know losses aren't the be-all and end-all but is 3 a lot for someone still at domestic level?

What do you all think? Is there still a chance for him to achieve Euro/World honours as his camp believe? Or has he found his level as a decent domestic level operator?

mmm. borderline. if the likes of Steve Foster jr can get Euro title shots, i don't see why Crolla couldn't. i really don't see him going any further, though.

Crolla is a really good boxer, but stands in front of people trading now like Murray, it can only get you so far.

aye, when he was with Farnell he used more foot movement and movement from the waist than he seems to do now, now he's got the same metal rod they used to stick up Murray's spine

[stujones]

I think Crolla might be my new James Hare in that I do believe he is an outstanding talent even when the defeats start coming and I will defend him for a bit longer than most.

He really needs to move down - thats the first thing. He aint no lightweight. Crolla was even talking quite openly about moving down to Featherweight even after he went on his good run at Super Feather.

Not to worried about his prizefighter setback. Whilst its on the record, I do find it hard to really consider these true loses.

Crolla vs Simpson would be a cracker.

[whiskey]

I like Anthony and he always comes across well. He's already been defeated and I think British level is where he shall remain.

That said, it doesn't mean he wont be involved in interesting fights in the future and it wasn't a brutal defeat either.

Perhaps the short format didn't really suit him much, especially against someone like Sykes with an excellent work rate as usual.

I agree with the weight class comments, no point campaigning higher than you need to.

[palooka]

Crolla has got a lovely style of boxing and does some difficult things so well it looks easy; he can be roughed out of it and I don't think he'd beat Rees. He may be better moving down a weight if he can remain healthy; what a difference a year makes!

[IRLangmaid25]

He is what 25 I think, so he is young enough to go again for the British title at either Super-Feather or Lightweight if he so wishes and he has decent pop in his punches and footwork, I reckon top domestic level maybe European will be his level.

[P4P#1]

I love watchin him fight but I think he should definitely move down he just isn't big enough and doesn't have the power at light weight I think if he could get down to feather he,d go quite far at least European scene.

[Newport Daz]

I like him as a boxer and don't think you can hold a prizefighter loss against him. He lost 2-1 on 2 of 3 cards, if it was a 10 or 12 round fight there's plenty of time to get the rounds back. Prizefighter makes a boxer fight differently so I don't think you can read too much into Saturday night's loss. Agree that Superfeather maybe a better division for him, if he can get down to it. I think he would be Euro level there.

[ShadrachSimmo]

He's a tidy boxer I thought he might have been beyond British level by now but he keeps stalling. He's still in the mix and still young.

[stujones]

I think most young "British level" fighters need to look at a young Ricky Burns as an example. Who would have thought the fighter who got dominated by in good fights with Johannesson and Arthur would now be a two time world champion and looking quite possibly the best fighter at Lightweight.

Wouldn't write off anyone yet.

[jessi]

I think most young "British level" fighters need to look at a young Ricky Burns as an example. Who would have thought the fighter who got dominated by in good fights with Johannesson and Arthur would now be a two time world champion and looking quite possibly the best fighter at Lightweight.

Wouldn't write off anyone yet.

[whiskey]

I think most young "British level" fighters need to look at a young Ricky Burns as an example. Who would have thought the fighter who got dominated by in good fights with Johannesson and Arthur would now be a two time world champion and looking quite possibly the best fighter at Lightweight.

Wouldn't write off anyone yet.

Good post.

Hard work and experience is something crolla does not seem shy about, so there is still scope for improving.

[palooka]

Buckland is a very good fighter next weight down though and Ricky Burns improved after moving up in weight not down; Crolla is a very likable and intelligent man + a very good boxer, if he's dragged into a physical bout I'm not that sure he'd cope with the European level men.

[TheCobra]

I'm a big fan of Crolla, on his game he's a great fighter. I do wonder if the Gallagher's gym style is slowly having a detrimental effect on him though.

He seemed to initially do really well with gallagher, like he rasied his game and probably some of the strength and conditioning work really helped him and the good sparring.

But style-wise, recently he seems to have turned into a bit more of a basic fighter, trying to stay in the pocket but stays there too long and has become too easy to tag. Maybe a rethink needed.

[stujones]

Palooka - Ricky's performances at Lightweight have been very good - but lets not forget, he did win the WBO Super Featherweight title beating the number 1 fighter in the devision at the time. That is still his best win of his career..... these were after bad losses to Johannson and Arthur at Super Feather.

[Finn]

I'm a big fan of Crolla, on his game he's a great fighter. I do wonder if the Gallagher's gym style is slowly having a detrimental effect on him though.

He seemed to initially do really well with gallagher, like he rasied his game and probably some of the strength and conditioning work really helped him and the good sparring.

But style-wise, recently he seems to have turned into a bit more of a basic fighter, trying to stay in the pocket but stays there too long and has become too easy to tag. Maybe a rethink needed.

I agree there does seem to be a walk forward in straight lines and sit in front of your opponent mentality with the gallagher fighters. Some good foot work and crolla could be very good.

[TJ77]

I like Crolla but the future doesnt look great .One min your meant to be fighting Morales next your an also ran in Prize fighter .Go down a weight and change gyms .IMO

[stevieb_8006]

the curse of joe gallagher. hes so overated as a trainer cos hes fighters had that unbeaten run. just gets 'em in good nick is all. and obv theres plenty of sparring/inspirational company at the gym.

[Lightsoot]

I really like Crolla too and thought he was stopped prematurely against Derry Matthews. I'm not saying the outcome would have been different but I thought Anthony wasn't given every chance as the champion. The Prizefighter tournament doesn't suit him and it's sad to see a former British champion on or close to his peak having to take part in the three round format. That said, I think he lost to Sykes because Gary wanted it more on the night.

Crolla can become British champion again, possibly compete in Europe, but he's to recapture his form from 18 months - 2 years ago.

[tear up]

It's a very long hard road back to the top

[LeedsLad]

Gallagher has got to go if Crolla is going to go past domestic level.

He fought like an utter retard against Mathews, and PF ought to have been an opportunity to get himself back on track.

Instead, we saw the same flaws that got him knocked out against Derry.

It's only a matter of time before a Gallagher fighter gets badly hurt. The style they're trying to use is dangerous.

[Lightsoot]

Gallagher has got to go if Crolla is going to go past domestic level.

He fought like an utter retard against Mathews, and PF ought to have been an opportunity to get himself back on track.

Instead, we saw the same flaws that got him knocked out against Derry.

It's only a matter of time before a Gallagher fighter gets badly hurt. The style they're trying to use is dangerous.

Its become fashionable to criticise Gallagher's style in much the same way it was (and still is) to criticise The Ingles. Crolla's lost one fight of late against an inspired Derry Matthews and could count himself slightly unfortunate to get stopped. The Prizefighter format didn't suit him, I'm not sure why any blame should be attributed directly to Gallagher.

[TheCobra]

Gallagher has got to go if Crolla is going to go past domestic level.

He fought like an utter retard against Mathews, and PF ought to have been an opportunity to get himself back on track.

Instead, we saw the same flaws that got him knocked out against Derry.

It's only a matter of time before a Gallagher fighter gets badly hurt. The style they're trying to use is dangerous.

Its become fashionable to criticise Gallagher's style in much the same way it was (and still is) to criticise The Ingles. Crolla's lost one fight of late against an inspired Derry Matthews and could count himself slightly unfortunate to get stopped. The Prizefighter format didn't suit him, I'm not sure why any blame should be attributed directly to Gallagher.

Cos he gets hit way too easily nowadays, something which seems to have worsened the longer he has been in the Gallagher's gym. Same with a few of the guys in there, they don't seem to learn a Plan B if the come forward aggression style isn't working.