By Terence Dooley
 
Manchester’s Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla, 29-4-2 (11), will return to the ring in a big away, fighting for a world title on the undercard of Scott Quigg’s WBA World Super bantamweight title showdown against Kiko Martinez at the Manchester Arena on July 18. 

Crolla’s return is a comeback in every sense of the word. His challenge of Darleys Perez for the WBA lightweight title marks his first fight back following a near-fatal experience tragically stemming from an unselfish act of heroism. 

“This has been a roller coaster six months for Anthony,” said Eddie Hearn, Crolla’s promoter. “First he received the dream news that he would challenge Richard Abril for the WBA World title and then just weeks later his World came crashing down when he suffered life-threatening injuries after trying to apprehend burglars from his neighbor’s property. When we got the news of Anthony’s injuries it was touch and go whether he would fight again.

“He has shown remarkable strength and bravery and I promised him I would deliver him a shot at the World title in his return. On July 18 Anthony will face the talented Darleys Perez for the WBA World title in front of his own people; people that should be so proud to call him their own. I hope the city gets behind this hero and we can get him over the line to become champion of the world.”

The injuries sustained by 28-year-old contender—a fractured skull and a broken ankle—ruled him out of a scheduled January title tilt with then-champion Richar Abril. 

Because of the uncertainty of Crolla ever fighting again—or doing much else beyond surviving and recovering—Abril sought to move on. A title defense was announced versus Derry Mathews—who holds a win over Crolla and drew with him in their rematch—only for Abril to twice withdraw from the bout.  

The WBA lost patience with the Cuban, naming him as champion in recess then promoting Perez to the full title, with Mathews beating Tony Luis by decision last month to secure the interim belt.
 
Crolla’s patience and rehabilitation from injury has been rewarded with a crack against Perez; the 31-year-old moved to 31-1 (20) courtesy of a decision win over Jonathan Maicelo in January—his second defence of the interim title that he picked up by defeating Argenis Lopez last year.  Perez's only defeat was a unanimous decision loss to Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2013.  

It means Crolla could steal a march on Mathews; the Liverpudlian has stated that he would welcome a third fight with Crolla should his domestic rival re-enter the fray, which is exactly what happened earlier today when promoter Eddie Hearn announced the fight at a press conference in Manchester.

“It’s amazing to be back in the ring and fighting for my first World title,” said Crolla. “Lying in my hospital bed after the attack, I didn’t know what the future held, I was just lucky to be alive, but I have worked so hard and had so much support that I have to win that World title on July 18.

“Perez is a great fighter and I know I am going to have to be at my very best to beat him, but with everything that has happened, it feels like I am destined to win the belt and I will be busting a gut in the gym to be in the best shape I have even been in on the night to get that belt.”

Although not rated in the WBA Top 15, Crolla was due to fight for their title in January and WBA Champion Rule 46 (Special Permits) states that: ‘Strict application of these rules may be suspended or modified when the Association deems them justified in its sole discretion to accommodate special circumstances, to unify championships or to establish a Super Champions,’ with a number of options named and the added proviso that the application is not just limited to the options listed. 

The winner of Perez-Crolla will have 90 days to set-up a defence against Mathews, as per WBA title rules.
 
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