Last night, at the Manchester Arena, fate dealt Anthony Crolla another cruel blow.
Matched against Darleys Perez for the WBA lightweight title, Crolla showed that after a lengthy ring absence due to reasons well known, he definitely belonged in this level.
The Manchester fighter, like the rest of us, looked on in disbelief as, once the twelve rounds had ended, the decision went to the judge?s score-cards, with the scores being given as:
? 116-113 for Crolla
? 114-113 for Perez
? 113-113 a draw
Gasps of disbelief rang out around the Manchester Arena with many believing that Crolla had done enough to win, even more so when, late-on, the champion had 2 points deducted for low blows.
Yes, there were some close rounds that could have gone either way, but for one judge to make it 116-113, after the points deduction, was scandalous.
Perez started well but was rocked in the second round when a shot from Crolla caught him flush and his legs done one of those silly dances that betray a fighter?s true status.
Although Perez came on strong, in some rounds, he couldn?t knock Crolla out of his stride and the general consensus of opinion was that Crolla was shading the rounds.
Speaking after the decision hadn?t gone Crolla had this to say,
‘I’m bitterly disappointed I’ve not got the world title take to home with me. I thought the deductions swayed it for me.
‘I had to dig deep and do the crowd proud. I will only come back stronger.
‘When this opportunity came I was never going to give it up. But I promise everyone that I will win the world title.’
Whereas his trainer, Joe Gallagher was to add,
‘I thought Anthony had won it by two rounds. I’m very proud of him. The people of Manchester that came out to support him were fantastic.
‘But it is a bit disappointing and it has put a dampener on the evening?
They were, Crolla was and I?m in no doubt that the likeable Manchester fighter will be back for another shot at a title very soon.
Crolla Robbed in World Title Fight
