“The Biggest Fight” - Anthony Crolla Prepares For Monster Bout With Vasyl Lomachenko

Anthony Crolla has lined up his next bout and will now prepare to face Ukrainian pugilist Vasyl Lomachenko on April 12th 2019 with the showpiece announced this week.

Crolla was WBA champion between 2015 and 2016 and will use the fight as an opportunity to not only reclaim the title but also to take the WBO lightweight belt, which he had originally planned to compete with Richard Commey for.

Jorge Linares inflicted back-to-back defeats on Crolla in 2016, before losing the belt to double-Olympic gold medalist Lomachenko last May, who won the title in only his 12th professional bout.

The 32-year-old Mancunian's last fight was against Daud Yordan last November at the Manchester Arena, with Crolla winning by a unanimous points decision.

"Lomachenko is a great talent, but Anthony is in great shape and ready for this chance," said promoter Eddie Hearn.

 "It's a huge opportunity for Anthony,

"He has earned his stripes - a former world champ who has fought the best.

"He won the final eliminator against Yordan in November, and I'm happy he gets this chance now."

 Crolla himself said (via SkySports),

"I believe that I can win a world title again, and these are the kind of fights that I'm in it for"

 "This is the biggest fight that can be made out there for me. I've earned it, it's not like I've been given this shot. Since losing my title to Linares, I've come back and had three solid wins.”

 Crolla versus Lomachenko will take place at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles.