The ‘Million Dollar’ Dream: Anthony Crolla vs Jorge Linares could be Hatton-Tszyu II

Great Britain currently has an incredible 13 recognised world champions in boxing. And while many of them are subjected to the traditional barrage of scrutiny with regards to their true worthiness, one cannot question that most or all of them are determined to prove themselves going forward.

Amidst the dangerous challenges being taken on this year by the likes of Kell Brook, Tony Bellew and Carl Frampton, one of those 13 men hasn’t quite reached the level of mainstream recognition he perhaps deserves.

On Saturday, however, that could all change as WBA lightweight champion Anthony ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla looks to add another belt - and another thrilling fight - to his resume when he takes on Venezuela’s Jorge Linares in Manchester with The Ring magazine’s linear version of the championship also up for grabs.

Crolla, unlike many boxing world champions, didn’t rise seamlessly to beltholder status via a carefully-controlled escalation of opponents. In fact, his first defeat as a pro came in only his ninth bout. The 29-year-old has done things the old-fashioned way, grinding himself into contention and bouncing back from his four defeats and three draws in the process.

Linares is regarded as his toughest challenge yet, but those who have watched Anthony over the last few years know better than to completely rule out his chances. And some of those who’ve watched him train are even comparing this bout to the legendary war 11 years ago between Ricky Hatton and Kostya Tszyu at the very same Manchester Arena.

Among those is Hatton himself.

“Where Anthony has come from is a great example,” said Hatton. “It’s not where you start in boxing, it’s where you finish.

“He lost a six rounder early in his career and to Derry Mathews later on, everyone wrote him off and to achieve what he has is test of his character. I’m very proud of him.

“Anthony is lovely kid, some say he is too nice to be a boxer but there is a mean streak there. He has developed into a good all round fighter, he has a very exciting style and is brutal body puncher.

“I know he can do the business against Jorge Linares and I’ll be beaming with pride to see him lift that Ring Magazine belt.”

Doing its very best to adhere to a ‘the man who beat the man’ structure in recognising divisional champions, The Ring’s honours are held in very high regard by proud boxers, as is the feat of becoming a hero in front of their local crowd.

Hatton, of course, did both. And he’s confident that Crolla can join him in Manchester boxing folklore on Saturday.

“My proudest achievement was my fan base in my career above everything, ‘The Hitman’ explained.

“Anthony has an amazing following now and it’s great to see a fellow Mancunian being such a big draw in our city

“I became the first Brit to win the Ring Magazine fighter of the year award, which was a huge honour. I won the Ring Magazine belt 10 years ago and it is the accolade that proves you are the best in your weight division, it is the ultimate achievement.

“It looks like the belt from the Rocky movies and its very old school which adds to the glamour of it.”

Trainer Dave Coldwell, present when Hatton defeated Tszyu in a career-defining performance, is among those who can see the potential similarities between that bout and Crolla-Linares.

“Ant is the sort of kid who on nights like this, will just refuse to be beaten - just like Ricky Hatton against Kostya Tszyu,” he told Sky Sports.

“I know Tszyu was an absolute legend and a step above but in comparison, this just reminds me of that.

"Even though Tszyu was coming to the end of his career, Ricky Hatton was a solid prospect and WBU champion but he’d never done anything extraordinary or hung around at that level, but the timing was absolutely perfect.

"Hatton kept taking shots but he kept pressuring him, kept coming back and eventually it took its toll on Tszyu and that night at the Manchester Arena, where all those fans were behind him, Ricky just wouldn’t be denied,” continued Coldwell.

“I’ve got a feeling that Saturday night could be the same for Crolla, as well.

"I think Linares is the slight favourite, just like Tszyu was, but I can just see it going the same way as that night - and it was unbelievable back then.

"I used to go there all the time and it is a brilliant atmosphere, just brilliant. I love that stadium, it is a proper, proper cauldron and that is what Linares will come up against.

"I am praying it goes Crolla’s way and with those fans behind him, I can see that happening.”

If Crolla is defeated for the fifth time at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, he will probably lose little more than his WBA belt. Having defied the odds and bucked the trends of many fighters who suffer multiple losses early on, his is already a success story.

However, if he is able to recreate the magic of Hatton circa 2005 this weekend, his name should be up there along with (or perhaps ahead of) the likes of Fury, Frampton and Bellew in the discussion of today’s great British boxers. He’ll be an outside shout for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist. And he’ll certainly once again be the talk of town, just as fellow Manc hero Hatton was throughout the 2000s.