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Anthony Crolla SOME prospects turn pro with a certain amount of fanfare. These are our possible champions of the future - the guys all the enthusiasts earmark as ‘one to look out for'. Then there are the ‘stellar prospects' - the ones who are seen as just that bit special, who seem destined to achieve that level of greatness few will ever reach. In that category falls Manchester's Anthony ‘Million Dollar' Crolla: ABA champion and one of Sports Network's hottest properties. As with many who come from a fighting family, Anthony was destined to end up in the business. "My dad was a boxer [Wayne boxed as a light-middle in the early eighties] and I used to go down the gym with him," he said. "I picked up the basics. Then at 10-11 years old, when everyone else was playing football, I started at Fox ABC. I was a natural and from that early age I knew I wanted to go pro." Considerable success followed, culminating in his run to the ABA championship in 2005. On route he beat fellow Boxing News Hot Prospect Kevin Buckley, a man who felt he beat Anthony in the North West Counties final. Crolla, however, sees it differently. "It was a good, hard fight, I won 13-12, but there is no doubt I deserved it. "Kev bulled his way forward, but I picked him off. You have to remember I was only 18, I had just moved up to the weight. Kev was also a young lad, but more physically mature. When Buckley says he "beat me black and blue" he must be talking about my nose. "Yes, it bled, it always used to bleed. I had to get an operation on it when I went pro. One fight the bell went and - I'm not joking - it started bleeding. But there's no doubt I won that fight!" Though mirroring the respect Buckley has previously shown him, Crolla sees only one result if they meet in the future. "Buckley is a good fighter. He will go far. I hope to fight him again for a title but mark my words, I will beat him easier next time!" The ABA final saw him face Bridlington's Chris Pacy, a man whose reputatio didn't faze the ever-confident Crolla. "Pacey was known as a banger. He's strong but easy to hit. The plan was to get a fast start, keep the lead and that's what I did. I couldn't miss him with right hands and left hooks." With the announcement of a 29-13 victory, Crolla had achieved what he had set out to do years before. An amazing experience for the young man. "I can't believe how good I felt, the best thing ever," recalled Anthony. "It's what every fighter wants, it was awesome." Despite fighting in the Four Nations and in Ireland it seemed only natural that the young boy who had that dream of turning pro would make the switch. The decision was made to install Anthony Farnell as his trainer, a surprising decision to some but a "no-brainer" for Crolla. "The gym is just round the corner, so I went in and did some work on the pads. I always knew it's where I wanted to be. We just clicked. "He's a superb trainer. He may not have been the most technical of fighters, but we do loads of technical work. I've been with him for just nine months and I've grown as a fighter." Crolla has gone on to compile of record of 4-0, two inside, earning rave reviews in the process. His development has also been helped by sparring the likes of Andy Morris, Michael Gomez and Amir Khan. A fighter with an analytical mind, Crolla knows full well what makes him so special. "My defence," he said. "I don't get hit much. My jab is important - great punch. I have fast hands and I'm starting to hit harder. It's all coming together." A self-confessed big believer in his own ability, how far does he think he can go? "It will take a good fighter to beat me. I can go all the way. I have a great trainer, the best promoter, great family, a great girlfriend, top manager and wonderful friends. There will be no excuses. If I'm as good as I think I am then I'm going to take some stopping." |
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