On Saturday afternoon, November 21, Darleys Perez will defend the WBA Lightweight title in a rematch against Anthony Crolla in a bout that can be seen live and exclusively in the United States on AWE- A Wealth of Entertainment. The bout will take place at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
There’s a saying in boxing that if a title challenger ends the night with a draw, it means he beat the champ. For boxing fans of Anthony Crolla, the saying is more than true. Here’s the history on Crolla v. Perez I and why Crolla Perez II is a must watch rematch.
On July 18, 2015, boxing fan favorite Anthony Crolla made an emotional return into the ring to fight Darleys Perez for the WBA World title. Seven months prior, Crolla suffered a fractured skull, not in the ring, but at the hands of a burglar using a concrete slab as a weapon. Crolla risked his life to help a neighbor who was being burglarized.
Some thought Crolla was lucky to be alive, much less return to the ring to fight again. All leading to a very emotional evening in July as Crolla challenged Perez for the WBA World Title. Yet another devastating blow was coming. After twelve rounds of world-class boxing, Crolla finished the night with an extremely controversial draw. Boxing fans thought Crolla won the fight, before a two point deduction was taken against Perez for low blows. Crolla’s outraged home crowd fans were stunned and left the arena in silence. Amir Khan, the fast-handed UK fighter expected to fight Manny Pacquiao in early 2016, tweeted “What a joke!” characterizing the decision of Crolla fans worldwide.
Perez and Crolla will return to the scene of the first bout, in front of a raucous crowd at the Manchester Arena.
Perez of San Pedro de Uraba, Colombia has a record of 32-1-1 with 20 knockouts.
He won his first 28 bouts, which included wins over Samir Torres (10-2-1), Patricio Antonio Pedrero (20-1-1), Ramesis Gil (6-0-4), Oscar Meza (22-4) & Bahodir Mamadjonov (11-0).
He challenged then undefeated Yuriorkis Gamboa for the WBA Interim Lightweight title on June 8, 2013 in Montreal. Perez came up just short, but two bouts later he defeated Argenis Lopez (19-0) to win that same title on June 28, 2014 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The 32 year-old Perez made two defenses of the interim crown by defeating Jaider Parra (23-1-1) and Jonathan Maicelo (21-1) being being elevated to the WBA Lightweight champion.
Crolla of Machester, England has a record of 29-4-3 with 11 knockouts.
He turned professional on October 14, 2006 with a win over Abdul Rashid (1-0).
The 28 year-old has amassed wins over 4-time world title challenger Michael Brodie (36-3-1), Andy Morris (19-3), John Watson (13-1), Willie Limond (34-3), Syephen Jennings (5-1-1), Kieran Farrell (14-0), former Jr. Welterweight world champion Gavis Rees (37-2-1), Stephen Foster (31-4-1) & Former world title challenger John Murray (33-2)
