Hometown hero Crolla defeats Burns in grueling 12 round contest

Crolla in action against Burns at the Manchester Arena. Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

ANTHONY CROLLA DEFEATED Ricky Burns in a thrilling non-title lightweight bout in the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

Scored at 116-113, 117-112, 116-114 in a unanimous victory, Crolla may now be looking towards another potential world title fight following the win.

Burns, meanwhile, suffered a seventh defeat in 49 fights, with the potential of retirement looming following comments which said he would hang up his gloves when the fighter began to take serious punishment inside the ring.

Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Crolla entered Saturday’s bout following two points defeats to Jorge Linares in both September and again in March, however was nevertheless the more energised fighter in the opening round despite Burns’ longer reach which posed a constant threat.

Crolla caught Burns with a left hook to the jaw at the beginning of the third, however little could separate the pair as they exchanged blows.

Burns’ ducking evaded some big right hands in the fourth round before landing some body blows with his left hook.

Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

The decisive punch came in the seventh via a powerful uppercut from Burns, however he too had to attend to a bloody nose before the beginning of the eighth.

The 10th witnessed Burns catch Crolla with a right to the side of the head which made victory appear more decisive, particularly in the face of his opponent who seemed to accept the threat of defeat, which was confirmed unanimously.

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