Manchester’s main event reaffirmed an old adage in boxing that the sport is about levels. One fighter was world class but the other elite, as Venezuela’s Jorge Luis Linares Palencia beat the brave Anthony Crolla 118-109 on all three judge’s scorecards.
In truth, the initial decision to take up the rematch option can be questioned given September’s first encounter. Linares had proved to be anything but the impotent force which fought Kevin Mitchell a year before, and whilst it was a solid watch the difference in class was evident for all to see. Boxing is a business though, and this was still the biggest money fight out there for the Mancunian and promised to give great exposure on America’s Showtime TV platform.
The atmosphere inside the arena was one intangible which could have made the difference as the Manchester crowd roared in even greater voice to push their hero on. However, it was the champion, with the presence of his hero Oscar De La Hoya looking on from ringside who would steal the show.
From the off, Linares had evidently made the greater adjustments from the pairs initial meeting, slashing open ‘Million Dollar’s’ defence on numerous occasions with hooks and uppercuts in a tremendous display of counter punch boxing off both back and front foot. The Crolla tactic was too similar to September though as he tried to invest a lot of his work to the body in the hope of it coming to the fore at the back end of the fight, as well attempting to get close and nullify the distance which Linares uses to throw his dazzling combinations. However, ‘El Niño de Oro’ would have too much speed and variety in offence for the hometown fighter and controlled the pace of the fight throughout, landing a sickening right uppercut in the third, opening up a cut in the sixth before dropping his opponent in the seventh session.
Crolla’s heart and bravery can never be questioned as his battles out of the ring prove. His refusal to give up the fight must therefore be acknowledged, as epitomised by him biting down on his gum shield and pouring it on Linares in the round after hitting the canvas, as well as rejecting calls by trainer Joe Gallagher of pulling him out at the end of the eleventh. The man from Moston was just in with a special fighter, and the judges’ scorecards did not flatter the WBA, WBC ‘diamond’ and Ring Magazine champion at all.
For Linares, the most desirable fight next is Mikey Garcia to determine the best lightweight in the world today. It would be one of the biggest matchups in the sports today, and from a fans perspective I hope it happens. If it doesn’t, Linares has set his sights on a mouth-watering stylistic clash with Vasyl Lomachenko in another blockbuster for the purist.
From Anthony Crolla’s perspective, he too has options with retirement being one. However, at the age of thirty, he is still young enough to chase the other belts in the division with the Terry Flanagan derby an obvious fight which stands out. The thought of moving up to light welterweight and possibly challenging Ricky Burns should not be ruled out either, as we hope to see this great Rocky story have one final hurrah.
Article courtesy of Neel Khagram @behindthefight
www.behindthefight.com
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