PEREZ READY TO PLAY THE VILLAIN AGAINST CROLLA
Colombian champion out to silence hostile Manchester crowd
Darleys Perez says he will destroy the World title dreams of Manchester hero Anthony Crolla when he defends his WBA Lightweight title for the first time at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night (July 18) live on Sky Sports.
Perez crosses the Atlantic for the first time in his pro career to face âMillion Dollarâ, who has recovered from a life threatening attack in December to land his first World title shot.
The Colombian was elevated to full champion in April after Richar Abril was stripped of the title and the 31 year old is aiming to build on an impressive year having landed the interim title last June against Argenis Lopez and made two impressive defences before his promotion, stopping Jaider Parra halfway through his first defence on home soil in October and registering a landslide points victory over Jonathan Maicelo in January in California.
The champion knows that the hometown crowd will be desperate to see Crollaâs bravery rewarded by World title glory on Saturday night, but the visitor says he will be able to handle the hostile atmosphere and retain his crown.
âItâs going to be very loud and the crowd will be pro Crolla,â said Perez. âI believe that I don’t need a knock out to win the fight. I just need to get in the ring and start doing my work.
âHeâll have everyone in the arena rooting for him. Heâll have the full support of the crowd, but none of that bothers me. I know what I have to do to win and thereâs no way Iâm going back to Colombia without my World title.â
Crolla was meant to face Abril in January before he suffered horrific injuries when challenging burglars at his neighbourâs home in December, and it was Crollaâs old foe Mathews that was set to meet Abril until the then-champion withdrew from the fight.
Perez is familiar with Crolla, Mathews and a number of Britainâs best Lightweights like Kevin Mitchell, Ricky Burns and Luke Campbell MBE, and while he believes he is facing the best that Britain has to offer in the 135lbs division, he says he will expose Crollaâs flaws to keep his title.
âI will show the day of the fight how I will exploit his mistakes,â said Perez. âCrolla is the best British Lightweight. He moves well, has a good jab and is an all-round good boxer. But I know that I am going to get the win and maybe I will return and beat another British Lightweight.â
Crollaâs date with destiny against Perez is part of a huge night of World title action in Manchester as Crollaâs gym-mate Scott Quigg defends his WBA World Super Bantamweight title against Kiko Martinez.
Thereâs a pair of tasty tussles for vacant British titles as stylish duo Chris Jenkins and Tyrone Nurse lock horns for the Light Welterweight strap and big hitting pair Sam Eggington and Glenn Foot promise a war for the Welterweight crown.
St. Helensâ Martin Murray boxes at Super Middleweight for the second time in quick succession as he targets some huge domestic battles at 168lbs, and thereâs a host of young talent on display in unbeaten Gallagherâs gym duo Hosea Burton and Marcus Morrison, while there are outings for Prizefighter Lightweight champion Jono Carroll, former Team GB starlet Charlie Edwards, Sedgefieldâs Jeff Saunders, Middletonâs Liam Taylor and Chapel-en-le-Firthâs Jack Massey.
Tickets are on sale priced ÂŁ40, ÂŁ60, ÂŁ80, ÂŁ100 and ÂŁ150 through www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIPâs are available exclusively through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at ÂŁ300.