The atmosphere began to heat in Manchester for the rematch between Jorge Linares and Anthony Crolla. This Tuesday the press conference was held for what will be the second bout between the Venezuelan lightweight champion and his English challenger, set for March 25 in the Arena of this city.

The event took place under a climate of kindness and mutual respect that both fighters have shown during all their encounters. Both promised a great fight and to give their best in the ring.

The first to talk was Crolla, who wants to prove his worth as a boxer to his public after losing his belt last September during the first bout: “I want my belt back. Those belts in front of us are very big. I’m so lucky to have a second chance and it’s one I have to take”.

“It was a special night last time. Great crowd, and it’ll be even bigger this time. The setting was perfect, but I lost against a great fighter”, said the challenger.

Linares traveled from Las Vegas, where the he resides, to take part in the event, and showed his enthusiasm for being champion of the most important organism in the world.

“Manchester treated me very well and I am very happy to be back. This champion belt means a lot to me and to my country”, said the “Golden Boy”.

“It’s a new year. Anthony (Crolla) is going to be better and hungrier, and that means I will work harder”, said the monarch.

In the first match, Linares gave a great demonstration after beating Crolla by unanimous decision in an action-packed fight in which both proved to be two of the best fighters of this weight. In the end, the former won the belt when a unanimous decision was scored for 115-114, 115-113 and 117-111 in front of a large crowd that demanded the revenge for the great fight they had.