Cool Crolla up for derby day

Boxing: ANTHONY Crolla could scarcely be any more relaxed and confident ahead of his feverishly-anticipated ‘Battle of Manchester’ tomorrow night.

The Manchester Arena will be a fitting venue for Crolla’s crunch derby date, when he will take on

fellow city scrapper John Murray with the WBO inter-continental title on the line.

At yesterday’s packed press conference, the difference between the two fighters couldn’t have been more stark. Chadderton-based United fanatic Crolla (27) was smiling, unruffled at the top table, while his friend of many years and staunch City supporter Murray (29) remained stone-faced, describing himself as “hungrier, vicious and violent” ahead of one of England’s most eagerly-awaited domestic dust-ups in recent years.

Murray’s attitude might have stemmed from the fact that his former trainer Joe Gallagher – the two fell out bitterly in the end - will be in Crolla’s corner tomorrow, but ‘Million Dollar’ isn’t

concerned with history – he has got the future on his mind and eventually achieving a life-long ambition.

Crolla said: “I’m focused on what I need to do tomorrow, and I’m fully aware that by winning it can help propel me nearer to where I ultimately want to be.

“I’ve always dreamed of being a world champion and business is business now. Beating John will take me one step nearer