Crolla deserves plaudits

By Adam Norman: Twitter @SkySportsNorm.   Last Updated: November 15, 2013 6:59pm

Anthony Crolla with Joe Gallagher – Plotting a way past Martin GethinJoe Gallagher believes Anthony Crolla has not been given the credit he deserves for beating Gavin Rees in the summer.

The New Moston lightweight will now defend the WBO inter-continental title he won against Rees when he fights on the Froch-Groves show after original opponent Martin Gethin pulled out injured.

Crolla edged to victory over Rees in June, frustrating the Welshman following his earlier loss to WBC champion Adrien Broner, but Gallagher believes his charge has still not won over the critics.

The Mancunian is still seen as a domestic fighter but trainer Gallagher believes he is worth his place on the world scene.

“No-one had beaten Rees on the domestic scene and I don’t think Anthony has received the credit for that win,” he added. “They say he’s not ready for Ricky Burns but if Rees had beaten Crolla they would have made Rees-Burns.

“Anthony did what he had to do. It’s not what he’s done two or three fights ago, it’s what he does now and on the night he put in a great performance.

“He’s more seasoned than he was a couple of years ago and has been through some hardships in and out of the ring.

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“He can adjust and adapt, you saw that in the fight with Gavin Rees, he wasn’t going to be bullied in that fight and he finished strongly in a fantastic performance.

“Crolla now has the chance to fight in an arena where all Manchester boys want to be – in my eyes it’s like a world title fight for Crolla, on that stage, and there’ll be serious questions if Anthony can’t perform in that environment on November 23rd.”

Gallagher will be in the corner for four fights on Saturday night and Crolla expects it to be a special occasion.

“It’s a great night for me, for the gym,” he said. “I grew up going there watching Ricky Hatton, Naseem Hamed, Joe Calzaghe in big shows and now I’ve got my chance on a box office bill.

“It doesn’t get much better than that and it’s the reason I came into boxing.”

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Crolla deserves plaudits