Round-By-Round - Jorge Linares (c) vs. Anthony Crolla 2 - March 25th 2017

[Stuffs]

Live at the fight, from a distance and perhaps caught up in the atmosphere and a few jars, I had it narrow to Crolla.

On a sober re-watching, it was a clear victory for Linares. I think I had it by three, but can't properly remember.

I reckon same again (as sober)

[Autobarn]

I thought crolla was in a prime position to take lineras but he just wasn't good enough the end of the day, so probably get beat easier this time.

crolla looked like taking over when he got in his rhythm mid fight but Linares bought himself a wonderful rest when he shook Crolla up to close the same round. Linares I felt was in trouble but he bought himself that extra space and extra time in hurting Crolla. Crolla had the momentum taken, the momentum he needed after the slow start. I felt it was one of the rounds of the year of an very good, tough fight and that the rematch will be as good. Crolla wasn't able to use his full repertoire, Linares being more elusive than most of Crolla's opponents and Crolla's left hook upstairs was absent - and he'll do much better if he can land that shot this time.

[Andrew]

I just don't see the point in the rematch but a contract is there and it was actually a pretty good fight,

Personally I thought Linares would have stopped him in the mid rounds last time if it wasn't for Terry OConnor warning him for low blows THEY WERE NOT LOW. Malignaggi was bang on about Crolla reffing his own fight.

My point is a different ref shifts the fight further in Linares favour. I just don't think Crolla can do anything different he put in a spirited performance and was in the form of his life going into the first fight. Where as Linares hadn't fought for nearly a year will be more fight ready this time.

[Autobarn]

I think it's possible that Crolla having failed can do better against this trickier, and less familiar kind of opponent in Linares.

Yes Crolla, the body puncher, did show weakness to the body that night.

[crusader]

How good is Crolla's stamina? It's often praised, and I expected him to outlast Linares the first time, but in hindsight I'm wondering if he's got a bit of a contrived gas tank. By this I mean that, although he often comes on strong in fights, this seems to be in significant part due to him starting slowly, rather than any naturally superior stamina reserves. By extension, if he starts working hard early his stamina isn't nearly as much of a factor.

Linares closed the first fight as the better man over the last 3, and I also recall that Perez finished the 11th and 12th stronger after Crolla had started the contest fairly aggressively.

[Stuffs]

Martin J Ward v Maxi Hughes III on the undercard.

[Autobarn]

How good is Crolla's stamina? It's often praised, and I expected him to outlast Linares the first time, but in hindsight I'm wondering if he's got a bit of a contrived gas tank. By this I mean that, although he often comes on strong in fights, this seems to be in significant part due to him starting slowly, rather than any naturally superior stamina reserves. By extension, if he starts working hard early his stamina isn't nearly as much of a factor.

Linares closed the first fight as the better man over the last 3, and I also recall that Perez finished the 11th and 12th stronger after Crolla had started the contest fairly aggressively.

Pacing fights well and chipping away consistently to the opponent's body definitely gives the impression that he's strong late on. But if his lacing gets messed up, or if his momentum gets interrupted like when Linares hurts him, that can really throw a spanner in the works.

Crolla does respond well to setbacks though, and I expect him to find a way. But he must do damage, must put in the big rallies to convince judges the rounds are his - and I think he needs the left hook to the head to work more rigorously because he wasn't landing them consistently last time.

[ElJefe]

How good is Crolla's stamina? It's often praised, and I expected him to outlast Linares the first time, but in hindsight I'm wondering if he's got a bit of a contrived gas tank. By this I mean that, although he often comes on strong in fights, this seems to be in significant part due to him starting slowly, rather than any naturally superior stamina reserves. By extension, if he starts working hard early his stamina isn't nearly as much of a factor.

Linares closed the first fight as the better man over the last 3, and I also recall that Perez finished the 11th and 12th stronger after Crolla had started the contest fairly aggressively.

Could have a point, reminds me of Quigg. All the talk of how great his engine was before the Frampton fight yet he never put it to use by setting a high pace for 12 rounds, instead hardly throwing a punch for the first half the fight and coming on late. Seems to be a Gallagher tactic.

As for the fight, I think Crolla has done brilliantly to get where he is but I'm not sure what he can change going into this fight to overturn the skills deficit that he faces. Barring a Linares collapse I see a repeat of the first fight and possibly more one sided.

[CaptainSpacerod]

I think Crolla has a good chance of wearing him down and beating him on points in a war of attrition. The last fight was close and Linares had to work very hard and consistently land with good shots to keep Crolla off him. He could get old overnight in the rematch.

[Andrew]

Is there Vada testing for this fight ?

It's for a WBC belt and Linares is enrolled in the CBP and Crolla isn't

It's on fighters boxrec records If no one has noticed already.

[brilo33]

just cant see how crolla can beat linares,after watching the first fight,brave as true warrior , but don't think crolla has the tank to take it to jorge from round 1 which i think he will have to do, think linares stops crolla again earlier

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1bFYf7ELdg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUaxCpSSr4o

[Stuffs]

Undercard so far...

Brian Rose v Jack Arnfield
Martin J Ward v Maxi Hughes
Marcus Morrison v Jason Welborn
Tomi Tatham v Liam Conroy

I don't think that's too bad tbh, especially when they're probably gonna through Quigg on there too.

[Oiky]

Linares wins again I reckon

[sammy95]

Is there Vada testing for this fight ?

It's for a WBC belt and Linares is enrolled in the CBP and Crolla isn't

It's on fighters boxrec records If no one has noticed already.

Are they still required to test if it isn't for the WBC world title, I believe it is the 'Gold' or 'Diamond' WBC belt on the line and not the full world honour.

Either way, I don't think it will be a problem for Crolla, several of Gallaghers Gym have been tested in the past year.

[Andrew]

Is there Vada testing for this fight ?

It's for a WBC belt and Linares is enrolled in the CBP and Crolla isn't

It's on fighters boxrec records If no one has noticed already.

Are they still required to test if it isn't for the WBC world title, I believe it is the 'Gold' or 'Diamond' WBC belt on the line and not the full world honour.

Either way, I don't think it will be a problem for Crolla, several of Gallaghers Gym have been tested in the past year.

Doesn't matter about the belt.all top 15 are required and he is number 9

Just looked at the rankings there is actually a CBP mark next to his name.

Same for luke campbell who I have just found out has not enrolled.

http://wbcboxing.com/wbceng/ratings?layout=edit&id=149

[ElJefe]

Undercard so far...

Brian Rose v Jack Arnfield
Martin J Ward v Maxi Hughes
Marcus Morrison v Jason Welborn
Tomi Tatham v Liam Conroy

I don't think that's too bad tbh, especially when they're probably gonna through Quigg on there too.

After seeing him be competitive with Macklin my first thought was that Welborn was a decent step up for Morrison, looked at his record and saw that 6 months after the Macklin fight he was outpointed over 6 by the 18-96-6 William Warburton. Bit of a weird one.

[maley1984]

Undercard so far...

Brian Rose v Jack Arnfield
Martin J Ward v Maxi Hughes
Marcus Morrison v Jason Welborn
Tomi Tatham v Liam Conroy

I don't think that's too bad tbh, especially when they're probably gonna through Quigg on there too.

After seeing him be competitive with Macklin my first thought was that Welborn was a decent step up for Morrison, looked at his record and saw that 6 months after the Macklin fight he was outpointed over 6 by the 18-96-6 William Warburton. Bit of a weird one.

The Welborn Warburton fight was very short notice. No excuse but I do know that for fact. Also heard from a few lads they thought Welborn had done enough that night.

I'm interested to find out wat weight the morrison and Welborn fight is at as morrison has fought at middle wen j is a light middle who moved up from welter

[maley1984]

Just been told Morrison Welborn is at middleweight

[pimp]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1bFYf7ELdg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUaxCpSSr4o

What was that shite from joe G what a tool that man is he embarrasses crolla

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgKG_ce9qtU

[Taansend]

I'm always disappointed when Linares doesn't speak Japanese. I really want to hear him speak Japanese.

[Stuffs]

Hosea Burton also on the card v TBA. I'd guess that will be a nice easy Hungarian to comeback from the Buglioni fight.

[PredatorHayds]

Undercard so far...

Brian Rose v Jack Arnfield
Martin J Ward v Maxi Hughes
Marcus Morrison v Jason Welborn
Tomi Tatham v Liam Conroy

I don't think that's too bad tbh, especially when they're probably gonna through Quigg on there too.

I really like the look of Rose-Arnfield.

Rose is a good fighter and a step up for Jack who is on a roll.

[Stuffs]

Undercard so far...

Brian Rose v Jack Arnfield
Martin J Ward v Maxi Hughes
Marcus Morrison v Jason Welborn
Tomi Tatham v Liam Conroy

I don't think that's too bad tbh, especially when they're probably gonna through Quigg on there too.

I really like the look of Rose-Arnfield.

Rose is a good fighter and a step up for Jack who is on a roll.

They're all pretty decent, evenly matched in my opinion, fights. Perfect for an undercard, though I know some would prefer Names v The Latvian Prison Canteen