Boxer’s world title bid off after attack
Boxer Anthony Crolla will have to wait for his world title shot, having been taken to hospital after being hit with a concrete block while confronting burglars.
Crolla was due to face Richar Abril from Cuba for the WBA world lightweight title in Manchester on January 23 but the fight has been cancelled after he suffered concussion and a broken ankle in the attack which followed a break-in at his neighbours’ property.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted: “Gutted to confirm thatant_crolla is in hospital with a head and ankle injury after confronting burglars at/near his property.
“Anthony is in a stable condition in Oldham hospital. Unfortunately the Jan 23rd fight is off but concerns right now are with Ant and family.”
He added: “You ask anyone in boxing, doubt you could find a nicer kid than Crolla, absolutely gutted for him.”
Crolla’s trainer Joe Gallagher said before going in to see the fighter in hospital late on Tuesday night: “He’s got head injuries and we don’t know the severity of them yet. He’s having a CT scan.
“I tried talking to him before but he’s concussed.
“The next-door neighbours were being burgled, and the burglars came into his garden. He gave chase, and apprehended one of them, and the other one lifted a slab of concrete and hit him with it, and he fell and broke his ankle.”
Crolla lives in Chadderton, near Oldham.
The 28-year-old – known as “Million Dollar” – has fought in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions and is the current holder of the WBO inter-continental lightweight title after beating Gavin Rees.
He had said about the scheduled fight with Abril: “To have the world title shot in Manchester is a huge factor.
“Without wanting to sound cheesy, it doesn’t get any bigger than that. I am a Manchester lad so to be fighting in Manchester for a world title, I couldn’t ask for anything more and the only way it could get better than that is to go out there and win it.”
