Champ Crolla has stars in his eyes

Photo: Lawrence Lustig

WBA KING . . . Chadderton-based Anthony Crolla.

ANTHONY Crolla is focused on achieving superstar status when he takes on South American tough guy Jorge Linares tomorrow at the Manchester Arena.

It's now time for the talking as the two prepare to battle it out for the WBA and WBC Diamond lightweight titles, and the prestigious Ring Magazine prize awarded to the true world king of the division.

More than 10,000 tickets have been sold for what promises to be another epic night in the career of 'Million Dollar' Crolla, with the man himself aiming to emulate fellow Mancunian hero Ricky Hatton, whose world title win against Kostya Tszyu back in 2005 changed the Hyde-based champion's life almost overnight.

Crolla said: "Tomorrow is going to be another special, special night, and to be honest I feel blessed again.

"For this fight to even be compared to the night when Ricky beat Tszyu is unbelievable for me.

"That fight made Ricky into a superstar, and I'm hoping that is something that will happen to me after tomorrow.

"I've prepared brilliantly for this and I can honestly say I've never been in better shape, and over this past year or so I've grown as a fighter and a person. The support is going to be crazy and I'm confident they'll see another Manchester victory tomorrow."

Crolla's trainer Joe Gallagher agrees that there are similarities between that of Hatton and his charge Crolla.

Gallagher said: "We know Ricky was a big City fan and Anthony's allegiances are to United, but on nights like this, Manchester becomes united.

"Everybody comes together urging Anthony to victory in a city which I firmly believe is now the capital of boxing."

Some tickets are still on sale for the epic 'Two Worlds Collide' show at the Arena, priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150.

Call the box office number: 0844 847 8000.