Last night saw heartbreak for Anthony Crolla’s world title dreams in Manchester when a valiant and spirited effort from the home-town challenger ended in a controversial draw, despite champion Darleys Perez losing two points for low blow infringements.
The challenger put in a heroic shift that upon the sounding of the final belt saw his corner hoist him into the air to the raucous cheers of the partisan crowd who threatened to take the roof off.
However the joy was to be short lived, and after some initial confusion regarding the scorecards, legendary MC Michael Buffer dealt the crushing blow that the fight was a draw and the belt was returning to Colombia.