Rivals in the ring, friends out of it!

Reporter: SIMON SMEDLEY
Date published: 11 March 2014


ANTHONY Crolla is happy to put friendship to one side until April 19 when he will face John Murray is what has already been dubbed ‘the Battle of Manchester’.

WBO inter-continental lightweight belt holder Crolla (27), now based in Chadderton, will have the Manchester Arena buzzing when he takes on long-standing friend Murray.
It is the chief support bout at the ‘Rise Up’ show, headlined by Scott Quigg’s WBA World super-bantamweight title defence against Venezualan tough guy Nehomar Cermeno.

Crolla and Murray (29) have been pals since their amateur days, but now the pair will finally come together in an eagerly-anticipated clash which has already led to show tickets flying out of the box office.

Then, as if two massive Manchester favourites going toe-to-toe won’t be mouth-watering enough, there is also added spice in that Murray was guided by Crolla’s trainer Joe Gallagher for many years before an acrimonious split in 2013, and Crolla is a United fan and Murray a staunch blue!

Crolla appears to be taking the all the early hype in his stride. He said: “There is great pressure on, but there will be great rewards for the winner. I’m already in good shape, but for the next six weeks I’ve just got to do everything I can to make sure I’m perfectly prepared.

“There will be no contact with John from here on in. It’s nothing personal as we are good mates, but this is business now.”