WBA Lightweight World Champion Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla (31-4-3, 13 KOs), and WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs), hosted a press conference today at Hotel Football in Old Trafford, to formally announce the blockbuster world championship unification fight for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships at the Manchester Arena on September 24, 2016, live on Sky Sports.
Jorge Linares
Anthony Crolla vs Jorge Linares at the Manchester Arena on September 24
Anthony Crolla will face Jorge Linares in a huge unification blockbuster for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships at the Manchester Arena on September 24, 2016, live on Sky Sports.
Crolla will make the second defence of his WBA crown in his hometown fortress following his brilliant knockout victory over Venezuelan danger man Ismael Barroso in May, having ripped the title from Darleys Perez with another body shot knockout in November.
Jorge Linares re-inks with Golden Boy Promotions
(Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions) LOS ANGELES (May 24, 2016) – Unbeaten since 2012 and recognized as one the top lightweight fighters in the world, WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Niño De Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs) will continue to cement his legacy as a member of the Golden Boy Promotions roster, retaining the Los Angeles-based company founded by Oscar De La Hoya as his United States promoter.
The multi-year contract will continue to recognize Linares’ relationship with co-promoter, Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions, with both companies teaming up to put Linares in the biggest fights possible.
Linares Defends in Venezuela Tonight Against Ivan Cano
WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares, (39-3, 26ko) defends his title against Mexico’s Ivan Cano (23-6-2, 15ko) at home in Venezuela tonight, in what will be only his 4th fight in his native land over the course of his 13 years as a professional.
The Golden Boy promoted Linares – who resides in Japan – has said he is relishing the opportunity to box in front of his home fans and has promised that after he beats Cano tonight, he will continue to dominate at 135 lbs for some time to come.
Jorge Linares Snubs Kevin Mitchell Rematch / Fighting Ivan Cano in Venezuela
After their thrilling fight back in May resulted in a heroic Kevin Mitchell (39-3, 29ko) getting stopped in the tenth round (despite being up on two scorecards), WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares (39-3, 26ko) has snubbed a rematch with the Englishman, and will fight unheralded Mexican Ivan Cano (23-6-2) on October 18th instead.
It was made clear in the immediate aftermath of May’s fight that Linares would be returning to Venezuela to make his next defence, and his team were thought to be open to the possibility of a second fight with the Dagenham man.
Kevin Mitchell To Get Possible Shot At Redemption Against Jorge Linares?
Going into his world title challenge on May 30th against Venezuelan champion Jorge Linares, likable Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell had to convince a lot of people that he really could perform when it was all on the line. After disappointing and emphatic stoppage losses in prior world title challenges on the big stage – against Michael Katsidis for an interim strap in 2010 and then again 2 years later against Ricky Burns – there were still serious questions about the Londoner’s desire and commitment, despite his career rejuvenation under the Matchroom promotional banner over the last couple of years.
Those questions were answered by a lion-hearted Mitchell in a thrilling fight in which both men touched down – however Linares would be the man to eventually prevail, securing a 10th round stoppage, aided in part by a horrific eye swelling that had blighted Mitchell’s face.
Linares & Mitchell Set To Do It Again?
Those that witnessed it saw something special last Saturday when Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell tragically fell short of his world title dream against Venezuelan WBC champ Jorge Linares, when he was stopped at the end of the 10th round after giving an heroic account of himself – flooring the champion along the way and sustaining an horrific eye injury from an earlier clash of heads.
For those that had doubted whether Mitchell truly belonged at top level, things became a little clearer given his performance. In a thrilling contest, at the time of the stoppage, Mitchell was up on 2 of the cards and things were level on the third. A fitting testament to the drama that left those in attendance and watching at home crying out for more.
The Heart Of A Lion : Is There A Way Back For Kevin Mitchell?
Sadly it was not to be once more for Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell last night – but after a brave and spirited performance – and third crack at a world title – the affable Londoner is left wondering where he can next go from here, with opposing views as to the future of the East London fighter.
Mitchell and Linares were always going to be the most intriguing fight on the card for me due to each man’s high skill level and individual frailties – and the bout did not disappoint in terms of action and excitement.
Brook stops Gavin; Joshua beats Johnson; Selby wins; Linares defeats Mitchell
IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (35-0, 24 KOs) did what he had to do in destroying his opponent Frankie Gavin (22-2, 13 KOs) in six rounds on Saturday night in retaining his IBF 147lb title at the O2 Arena in London, UK. Brook landed a nice right hand that hurt Gavin. Brook then unloaded his artillery on Gavin until he slumped into the ropes.
Referee Steve Gray stopped the bout at that point without a count. The fight, if you want to call it that, was stopped at 2:51 of the 6th. Gavin was too hurt to continue. The referee would have done him a huge favor if he’d stopped the bout a couple of rounds earlier because this was never a fight to begin with.
Kevin Mitchell Credits Matchroom For Resurgence / Focused On Linares
For many, Dagenham lightweight Kevin Mitchell is one of the most likable characters in British boxing – and at times has been one of the most frustrating to follow the career of – notably in his two crushing defeats to Michael Katsidis at Frank Warren’s massive Upton Park show in 2010 and then again in his second heavy loss to Scotland’s Ricky Burns in 2012 which was ostensibly the end of him at the time.
It’s been well documented that a party lifestyle and the distractions of both fame and money were responsible for the past hiccups in a stop-start career – that has enjoyed a resurgence under promoter Eddie Hearn and trainer Tony Sims – and it culminates Saturday in his challenge to dangerous Venezuelan WBC champion, Jorge Linares.