Before the fight, Linares cited the case of his compatriot Ismael Barroso, who was knocked out by Crolla in the seventh round, also at the same venue last May.
“Ismael is a very good fighter but he made a big mistake in the fight,” said Linares. “He came out too strong and too fast and too aggressive, trying to KO Anthony, and when you are at this level, you cannot go looking for the KO because when you do that, you end up receiving the KO, and that’s what happened,” he added.
Linares, who has served as sparring partner of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao stuck to his game plan and got himself rewarded with a victory. Read more.
The first two rounds looked uneventful for the two protagonists but in the third round, Linares seemed to have found his range as he caught Crolla with quick combinations that landed on target but Crolla came back with his own just before the end of the round.
Crolla came a bit faster in the fourth round catching Linartes with power left hook but the Venezuelan champ held on. By the fifth round, Linares was seen with a cut on his left eye. Apparently Crolla noticed the cut and started throwing left and right combos
It was a give and take affair in the next four rounds with Linares scoring more on clear and power shots. By the ninth round Crolla was more active with his jabs and punches that found their mark but in the succeeding rounds Linares knew he was ahead on points and was determined to keep his lead.
The final round saw both fighters giving everything they have left in their tanks but it was evident Linares was the better fighter as the final bell sounded.
One judge scored the fight at 115-114 and the other at 115-113 while the third judge score the fight at 117-111, all in favor of Linares.
Crolla said he was disappointed with the result and felt sorry for not pleasing the crowd but he said he has no complaints.
“He’s the best man I’ve ever been in a ring with, he’s very fast and sharp and it was a pleasure to be in there with him. Crolla said after the fight.
For his part, Linares said he will be glad to give Crolla a rematch and also thanked the fans who watched the fight.
“I hurt my hand in the sixth, and backed off a bit, in the 10th I told my corner I would close out the victory and I did and that’s what got me the victory.” Linares said.
With the win Linares has improved his career record to 41 wins and three losses while Crolla dropped to 31 wins and six losses.
