Former Lightweight World Champion Anthony Crolla looks back on Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois and ahead to his fighter Rhiannon Dixon facing Terri Harper this weekend in Sheffield.
What an event that was at Wembley! Many people have a lot to say about the Saudi’s involvement in boxing and Riyadh Season, but it has been fantastic for British boxing. We are getting to see some of the best cards ever, with 96,000 in attendance!
The only frustrating thing is that a lot of the fights on Saturday’s card could be headline events in their own right, which would mean more fight cards and more opportunities for boxers.
But there’s no denying the latest offering was amazing and I was so impressed with Daniel Dubois. Am I shocked he won by knockout? No. But I was shocked at the matter of the win. I thought Daniel could possibly do it in the second half of the fight, but let’s get it right, I had backed AJ.
It was man v boy on the night with the younger Dubois teaching the old dog a lesson. I mean absolutely no disrespect to Josh, who showed a massive set of conkers, and he deserves nothing but praise for what he’s done for British boxing. He has inspired a generation. Unbelievable.
If I’m honest, I’d like to see him walk away from boxing now. That was the kind beating that takes years off your career and is not good for your health. But of course he’s his own man and he’ll do what he feels is best.
Moving on to this weekend and there’s a great show in Sheffield that I’m very much involved in. Early on, there’s a really interesting fight to get things going. Essex man George Liddard’s been moved fast as a young pro, and I think this is a really good match up against George Davey who’s got really nice skills. He’s been down to my gym in the past with his trainer Henry Wharton and he’s a really slick southpaw.
Davey will certainly be the best opponent Liddard’s faced so far. Davey’s only lost once and that was to Joshua Francombe in a very close fight. This is the kind of fight that I think we’re going to see more and more of in boxing now, where two prospects go against each other, so credit to both boys.
I don’t think this will be easy for Liddard, but I think he will eventually get to grips with Davey’s skills and go on to win on points – but he may have to come from behind to do that.
Another George is in action in Sheffield – although Giorgio Visiola carries the Italian version of the name! I really like Visioli – I think he is one of the very best prospects in the UK right now. Some of his finishes have had the look of a kid who could be a world class prospect. He’s in against a lad from Colombia – Diego Lagos – who has a winning record, but I expect Giorgio to look good and stop his man.
Jimmy Sains is also on the card and he’s a lad who gives his all every time. He is all-action and will be looking to make another statement against Omir Rodriguez. The Panamanian can fight and can upset a prospect when he’s in the mood, and while I do think this is a little step up, I think there’s a great chance you’ll see Jimmy end the contest early, just like his six previous fights. He really does tick a lot of boxes for promoters and TV – he sells a lot tickets, is exciting and heavy handed.
There’s a great battle on the card between Peter McGrail and Brad Foster. A few years back, Foster was looking fantastic winning the Lonsdale belt outright, and then he lost a very close fight to Jason Cunningham. He was unlucky in another fight against Rhys Edwards which could have gone either way.
That said, pinning down Peter McGreal – the scouse Lomachenko – is a big ask. I think I just see a McGreal points win.
As far as the main event goes, it’s a fighter I train, Rhiannon Dixon, in against Terri Harper. Neither me nor Rhiannon were happy after her last fight, even though she won the world title! It was a great achievement, but she knows she has to be better against Harper than she was against Carabajal.
I think Terri’s coming off a career-worst performance against Sandy Ryan, so she has a lot to prove. I do believe we’ll see a much better Terri Harper than we have recently, but obviously I’m confident in my fighter, it’s a fight where I believe she wins, and she’s capable of doing it inside the distance.
A lot is being made of the weight as Terri boxed at super-welterweight last time out and she’s now back down at lightweight. But I don’t think she was ever a super-welter and I’m sure she’ll be better at this weight.
But again, I think Rhiannon can stop Terri – she’s capable of hurting her to the head and body. I’m backing my girl.
Anthony Crolla is brand ambassador for Free Bets, the home of betting sites.