Classy Linares dethrones Crolla in Manchester.

Three-division world champion and WBC champion in recess Jorge Linares (41-3, 27 KOs) won a unanimous decision to dethrone WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla (31-5-3, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the Manchester Arena in Crolla’s hometown of Manchester, England. Linares made his mark early on, setting a fast pace landing piercing shots, Crolla did start applying pressure in the middle rounds, forcing Linares to fight in bursts.. Referee Terry O’Connor warned Linares’ body work several times for border line low punches. Crolla cut Linares in the fifth round, while Linares physically shook Crolla at the close of round six. From round 7 onwards there were several close rounds that could have gone either way, Crolla pushing forward  and Linares sharpshooting in clusters.. Linares appeared to get his second wind in round ten, upping the pace with crisp, flashy shots in the last couple of rounds to seal the victory..

Scores were..  115-114, 117-111, 115-113.

After the fight, Linares confirmed that he injured his right hand in round six. The classy Venezuelan seemed very gracious and said he was willing to come back to England for a rematch with Crolla, emotionally explaining that the win fulfilled a promise he made to the late WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Sr., who passed away earlier this year.