Anthony Crolla WBA Lightweight Champion
Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images Europe
Times were gloom for Anthony Crolla following a fractured skull he acquired from chasing down a pair of burglars in late 2014 when he was scheduled to fight the polished Cuban Richar Abril.
It was just a year later when Crolla beat Darleys Peres by stunning knockout for the WBA lightweight alphabet title. It should have been the Lancashire lad’s second win over Perez after soundly outboxing the Columbian four months prior. But he was forced to settle for a majority draw.
The incredible turnaround earned Crolla, nicknamed “Million Dollar,” The Ring Magazine’s “Most Inspirational” fighter award. Behind the fairy tale narrative, however, lays a mediocre record of 30-4-3 that includes just 12 KOs.
Another big night for the Englishman came in 2013 when he outpointed former world champion Gavin Reese—at least what was left of the Welshman after being taken apart by Adrien Broner that same year.
The 29-year-old Crolla is a fine domestic talent and nothing more.
It would be insulting to consider Crolla’s career-threatening injury fortunate. But he would have been outright exposed had the affliction not prevented his fight with Abril.
