Anthony Crolla will challenge Martin Gethin for the British Lightweight title on the undercard of Carl Froch’s WBA and IBF Super Middleweight title blockbuster with George Groves at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena Manchester on November 23.
Gethin makes the first defence of the coveted Lord Lonsdale belt after beating Ben Murphy in his hometown of Walsall in January, Crolla is looking to win the crown for the second time having beaten John Watson in February 2011 for the vacant title – and hopes to make this his last domestic dust-up before challenging for World titles.
“It’s always a great honour to box for the British title,” said Crolla. “Martin’s a cracking boxer and I am sure it’ll be a very good fight, but I am aiming to win and win well and move onto the World stage in 2014.”
“Everybody loves a domestic match-up, especially in the Lightweight division, and Anthony Crolla vs. Martin Gethin should provide fireworks in Manchester,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We have big plans for Anthony in 2014 and victory over Martin will see him mark the end of a thrilling domestic run and stand on the verge of a World title shot.”
Also announced today for the bumper Manchester bill, Liverpool’s Rocky Fielding will defend his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title against undefeated Guyanese mandatory challenger Lennox Allen. Fielding won the title with a first round stoppage win over Mohammed Akrong in Liverpool in September while New York-based danger man Allen holds 17 wins with ten inside the distance.
“This is a huge step up for Rocky and I take my hat off to him and Oliver for taking the mandatory challenge,” said Hearn. “Lennox Allen is a talented fighter with a rising reputation in the States and it’s a big test for Rocky.”
Crolla vs. Gethin and Fielding vs. Allen are added to a great line-up of action on the undercard of the Super Middleweight Battle of Britain between Froch and Groves, with Scott Quigg defending his WBA Super Bantamweight title and Stephen Smith set to defend his British Super Featherweight title.
