Anthony Crolla
Encyclopedia
Anthony Crolla is an English boxer
who has fought in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions. He won the English super featherweight title in October 2010 with a victory over Andy Morris
and the British title at lightweight in February 2011 with a win against John Watson
.
. Five more fights throughout the rest of the year and into 2007 resulted in five more victories giving Crolla an unbeaten record of 6-0 at the end of his first full year as a professional. Crolla begun 2008 with a win in Germany on 19 January beating Tomasz Kwiecien and followed this up with another victory on 14 March, traveling to the Old Trafford
Stadium to beat journeyman Steve Gethin. On 5 April however, in his third fight of the year so far, Crolla lost his unbeaten record record to Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi
at the Bolton Arena
, losing on points over 8 rounds. Two fights in September resulted in Crolla returning to winning ways against Robin Deakin on the 6th and then traveling to the York Hall
in Bethnal Green on the 26th to meet Al Hamidi once more and to gain a revenge win over six rounds. Crolla finished 2008 with further victories over Carl Allen in October and Jon Baguley in December finishing the year with a record of 12-1.
. On 25 September he returned to ring and scored another victory over an opponent he had already met, Jon Baguley and then on 27 November met and defeated the former world champion Michael Brodie
who had returned to the ring following a long lay off. He continued his winning run in 2010 with victories over Jason Nesbitt, Sid Razak and Chris Riley before on 2 October challenging Andy Morris
for the English super featherweight title. The fight at the De Vere Whites hotel in Bolton resulted in a 7th round stoppage for Crolla and a first career title.
for the vacant British lightweight title. Described as an "early contender for fight of the year" Crolla won the fight in the 9th round after scoring a 9th round knockout. Describing his move up a weight division after the fight Crolla said "I knew I’d be strong enough at lightweight, but I didn’t know I’d be that strong. I’m in with strong kids in the gym all the time and they say my strength is underrated. But even I couldn’t believe how strong I was."
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
who has fought in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions. He won the English super featherweight title in October 2010 with a victory over Andy Morris
Andy Morris (boxer)
Andy Morris is an English boxer who currently fights in the Featherweight division. He is a former holder of the English and British featherweight titles and has fought for the British super featherweight title...
and the British title at lightweight in February 2011 with a win against John Watson
John Watson (boxer)
John Watson is a British lightweight boxer, based in Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom. He has fought for the British lightweight title on two occasions, losing to Gavin Rees and Anthony Crolla.-Amateur career:...
.
Early professional career
Crolla made his professional contest on 14 October 2006 when he scored a points win over Abdul Rashid at the MEN Arena in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. Five more fights throughout the rest of the year and into 2007 resulted in five more victories giving Crolla an unbeaten record of 6-0 at the end of his first full year as a professional. Crolla begun 2008 with a win in Germany on 19 January beating Tomasz Kwiecien and followed this up with another victory on 14 March, traveling to the Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
Stadium to beat journeyman Steve Gethin. On 5 April however, in his third fight of the year so far, Crolla lost his unbeaten record record to Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi
Youssef Al Hamidi
Youssef Al Hamidi is a Syrian boxer who was a decorated amateur in the Syrian army and is now a professional boxer in the UK-Amateur career:...
at the Bolton Arena
Bolton Arena
The Bolton Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located at Middlebrook on the boundary between Horwich and Lostock in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England....
, losing on points over 8 rounds. Two fights in September resulted in Crolla returning to winning ways against Robin Deakin on the 6th and then traveling to the York Hall
York Hall
The York Hall is a health and leisure centre and one of Britain's best known boxing venues.The venue is situated on Old Ford Road in Bethnal Green, London, England. The hall, opened in 1929 with a capacity of 1,200, stages boxing as well as providing a gymnasium and swimming pool.The hall is owned...
in Bethnal Green on the 26th to meet Al Hamidi once more and to gain a revenge win over six rounds. Crolla finished 2008 with further victories over Carl Allen in October and Jon Baguley in December finishing the year with a record of 12-1.
Fights with Sykes, Brodie and Morris
Crolla begun 2009 on 14 March with a repeat victory over former opponent Carl Allen and then on 29 May took part in his most significant bout to date, a British title eliminator at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke. The fight resulted in a second career defeat for Crolla as he lost a ten round points decision to Gary SykesGary Sykes
Gary Sykes is a British super featherweight boxer. Educated at Birkdale High School he is based in Dewsbury, Yorkshire and is a former British super featherweight champion.-Amateur career:...
. On 25 September he returned to ring and scored another victory over an opponent he had already met, Jon Baguley and then on 27 November met and defeated the former world champion Michael Brodie
Michael Brodie
Michael Brodie is a former professional boxer who fought in the Super Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions.-Boxing career:...
who had returned to the ring following a long lay off. He continued his winning run in 2010 with victories over Jason Nesbitt, Sid Razak and Chris Riley before on 2 October challenging Andy Morris
Andy Morris (boxer)
Andy Morris is an English boxer who currently fights in the Featherweight division. He is a former holder of the English and British featherweight titles and has fought for the British super featherweight title...
for the English super featherweight title. The fight at the De Vere Whites hotel in Bolton resulted in a 7th round stoppage for Crolla and a first career title.
British lightweight champion
Crolla stepped up a weight division when on 12 February 2011 he challenged John WatsonJohn Watson (boxer)
John Watson is a British lightweight boxer, based in Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom. He has fought for the British lightweight title on two occasions, losing to Gavin Rees and Anthony Crolla.-Amateur career:...
for the vacant British lightweight title. Described as an "early contender for fight of the year" Crolla won the fight in the 9th round after scoring a 9th round knockout. Describing his move up a weight division after the fight Crolla said "I knew I’d be strong enough at lightweight, but I didn’t know I’d be that strong. I’m in with strong kids in the gym all the time and they say my strength is underrated. But even I couldn’t believe how strong I was."