(Mind you Hearn runs him very close, sitting next to Wayne Rooney FFS. I rest my case on him boys
)Bit harsh calling him a hype job Beefy, I know you hate Eddie Hearn and anything to do with him and I'll admit that Crolla has definitely over achieved in his career but what he has achieved after coming back from the injuries that he had isn't hype, he actually did it. He's a really nice bloke and a decent fighter but Linares is best lightweight on the planet, Crolla was never going to win this one. I couldn't believe when I saw the odds when the fight was priced up that they had Crolla favourite. I had a few quid on Linares stoppage in rounds 10-12, knowing he'd never been distance before (typical it happens first time I have money on him). I read an interview with Crolla recently and he said he couldn't believe he'd been made favourite but reckoned it was because the bookies keep underestimating him and lost a bit of money on him last couple of fights.
I wonder what next for Linares, he's been saying in the build up he wanted to win the lightweight title back then move up in weight but I wonder if Frank Warren will try make a deal to get him in the ring with Terry Flanagan for a unification fight. As for Crolla I can see him fighting the winner of Luke Campbell/Derry Matthews which takes place on 15th October in Liverpool. Matthews and Crolla have fought twice before Matthews winning one by ko and the second one a draw so they'll probably both be up for the trilogy. Campbell is still rebuilding after suffering his first defeat a couple of fights back and Matthews is arguably his biggest test to date.
Linares was much too good. I believe he won by a damn sight more than two of the judges thought. One had him by a point, another by 2. Going in, I thought Linares might prove too strong, but I was surprised at the effort Crolla put in. When he decided to let his hands go, he did pretty well, but he just wasn't busy enough. Linares was too crisp and had a better work rate, but at times I think Crolla's forcing of the fight frustrated him. Jorge is as you said Smoke, probably the best Lightweight around at the moment, but to me he seems a little jaded. He's now fighting in his fourth weight class, has 44 fights behind him and has been KO'd three times. I'd have a dollar on him to beat any other Lightweight around at the moment, but I'd be on the edge of my seat. It would be a huge thing to do, but I think if Crolla could put another 25% into his work rate, he'd give Linares a real fright. I suppose that's a bit off the wall, but I smell a bit of weakness about Linares. And I'm a big fan of the man.
Crolla was a total hype job, partly down to his burglars and his serious injury but the hype definitely surpassed his achievements. Another top class domestic fighter being sold to the masses as being worldclass yet totally found out as just below last night. Kevin Mitchell had Linares in far more bother than Crolla did last night. And hang on, didn't you describe Canelo last week as a 'hype job' yet you say Crolla's not?! Come on man!
Totally agree with your fight analysis, I had Linares winning by 4.
Can't see him fighting again. He's achieved his ambition and said long ago he isn't in the business to make other people rich. Probably retire a rich, undefeated ex World Champion
I don't think he cares smokeyWill be a shame if he doesn't fight again. He might retire an undefeated world champion but many people will write the Klitschko victory off as an anomaly if he doesn't defend the victory. He might just be seen as another Buster Douglas or Hasim Rahman in the history books.
I don't think he cares smokey