Defiant Crolla vows to return to boxing

Date published: 18 December 2014


CHADDERTON boxer Anthony Crolla said his dream of becoming world champion is far from over.

The defiant 28-year-old told the media that he has been overwhelmed with the messages of support that have been flooding in since he was attacked on Tuesday.

As reported on the front page of last night’s Chronicle, the have-a-go hero suffered a fractured skull and a broken bones in his foot when he gave chase to burglars who jumped in to his garden in Halsey Close after raiding a neighbour’s property at around 5.30pm on Tuesday.

The boxer — dubbed Million Dollar Crolla — chased the pair from his home onto Butterworth Lane and then Crescent Road.

He managed to catch one of them but it is thought the other hit him on the head with a concrete slab from a nearby garden wall.

Anthony has had 10-12 stitches on a wound on his forehead and an operation to fix the broken bones in his foot as well as a CT scan on his head.

Neighbour Craig Townsend, whose property was broken into, said Anthony had done him proud.

He said he had texted the boxer to say thank you and sorry and that Anthony had replied “don’t worry about it, we’re neighbours, we look after each other.”

Confident

The injuries Anthony sustained in the attack have forced him to call off his world title fight with Cuban boxer Richar Abril in Manchester on January 23.

Anthony’s big-time promoter, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn, appears confident his charge will fight again, though not for a considerable number of months yet.

“He’s okay, he had some work done on his ankle yesterday and had some screws and plates inserted,” said Hearn.

“He’s just trying to come to terms with what’s happened. Obviously I’m delighted that’s okay and hopefully it doesn’t look like there will be any long-term damage, but it is a devastating blow for his career.

“He’ll have to undergo medicals with the British Boxing Board of Control now, and my gut feeling is that he will be able to return to boxing.

“The extent of his ankle injury means he probably won’t be able to run for three or four months, though.

“Then there’s the usual three-month training camp, so even if things were perfect from now on it would probably be the end of summer.

“I am a believer that everything happens for a reason — I just can’t find a reason for this one yet unfortunately. I’m gutted for him.”

Anthony’s girlfriend Fran Sanderson, who is keeping vigil at his bedside at the Royal Oldham Hospital, said she told him not to chase the burglars but his instinct kicked in. The couple have a one-year-old son, Jesse, who is being looked after by family.

The police investigation is ongoing and detectives are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 9035 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.