Crolla eyes his return to the ring

Anthony Crolla: on the mend

Boxing: 

HAVE-a-go hero Anthony Crolla has vowed to return to professional boxing bigger and better than ever before.

“Million Dollar” Crolla (28) suffered concussion and a broken ankle during a confrontation after he chased two burglars running from a break-in next door to his Chadderton home.

Crolla is continuing his recovery back at home after treatment at the Royal Oldham Hospital, and his shocking experience has provided plenty of time to reflect on a now-shelved world lightweight title shot against champion Richar Abril, which had been due on January 23.

Missing that dream WBA belt-bid has been a major blow, but recent events have strengthened Crolla’s desire to one day rule the world.

He said: “All this has given me a lot of time to think and without doubt it’s made me more determined than ever to get back into that ring. I’ve thought a lot about my career this last couple of weeks.

“I really believe I can be better than before. I’m 28 and I’ve been in a boxing gym since the age of 10 - and this six or seven weeks of enforced rest might not do me too much harm.

“Early summer is the plan. I want to be back out in May or June, definitely. I think I can be ready for the end of April, but we’ll see.”

The outpouring of support for the boxer has amazed him since December 16. From star names like Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney to people off the street, touching messages have flooded in

Former British champion Crolla added: “I’ve genuinely been taken aback by it, and I can’t thank every single one of them enough. From people in the public eye and sporting celebrities, to people I’ve never met before, it’s been incredible.”