sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

BREAKING: Jorge Linares Retains His WBA And The Ring Lightweight Title

BREAKING: Jorge Linares Retains His WBA And The Ring Lightweight Title

A sad night for Anthony Crolla

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Jorge Linares has beaten Anthony Crolla in Manchester this evening. All three judges scored the fight 118-109 to the Venezuelan but Crolla showed massive heart.

Following their epic first dust-up in September, Jorge Linares and Anthony Crolla ran it back tonight from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

After Crolla retained his WBA world title by beating the hard-hitting Ismael Barroso with a devastating body shot, he was handed a unification test against the slick-operating Linares.

The Venezuelan rose to prominence amongst the British boxing fans after churning out an impressive performance against Kevin Mitchell back in London in 2015.

The back-and-forth fight culminated with Linares eventually earning the 10th round stoppage. He followed that victory by returning to the U.K to fight Crolla.

(Linares and Crolla trade shots during their first encounter. Image: PA)

Linares and Crolla's first meeting didn't disappoint. The pair exchanged blows in a close contest filled with action, though it was the away fighter who got the judges nod, taking the fight 115-114, 117-111 and 115-113.

Here is the landscape of the lightweight division including fellow-Mancunian, Flanagan:

WBC - Mickey Garcia

IBF - Robert Easter Jr.

WBO - Terry Flanagan

Who do you want to see Linares and Crolla fight next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Boxing