Win or bust

Anthony Crolla faces Mexican Gamaliel Diaz on Saturday week.

Boxing: CHADDERTON-based Anthony Crolla knows his world title dreams will be in ruins if he doesn’t beat Gamaliel Diaz at the Phones 4u Arena in Manchester on Saturday week.

Crolla is ranked fourth in the WBO rankings, and victory over the Mexican, a former WBC super-featherweight champion, will see ‘Million Dollar’ close in on a world title challenge.

The 27 year old is hoping his home-town crowd can help to roar him to success in the WBO intercontinental lightweight title clash, but he is expecting a tough encounter.

“Early in his career Diaz lost quite a few, but since then he has learned how to fight,” said Crolla.

“He is a former world champion and he holds a win over Robert Guerrero. This is the most important fight of my career because if all goes wrong for me then the big plans I have for world title shots in Manchester just won’t happen.

Crolla’s clash with Diaz is chief support to Scott Quigg’s WBA super-bantamweight title defence against Stephane Jamoye on what promises to be an exciting night of boxing in the city.

Tickets are £30, £40, £60 and £100 via www.phones4uarena.co.uk or by calling 0844 847 8000.