Britain’s Anthony Crolla hung up the gloves in 2019, announcing his retirement from the sport after a thirteen-year career in the professional ranks.
Since then, ‘Million Dollar Crolla’ has remained involved in boxing by transitioning into coaching. Now, the family name will once again take centre stage with the debut of William Crolla at the end of the month.
Anthony worked his way through the ranks in the traditional fashion, winning the British super-featherweight title in 2010 before moving up to lightweight and claiming another British title just fourth months later.
After a few years at the peak of the domestic scene, the proud Mancunian stepped up to challenge for the WBA world title against Darleys Perez in 2015, but could only earn a draw on the judges’ cards.
However, the rematch was far more convincing, as Crolla scored a fifth-round knockout over Perez to become champion. He would go on to lose his belts to Jorge Linares.
It’s now time for his younger brothers’ stint in the limelight, and Anthony will be operating in his corner as trainer. 24-year-old, William, told The Sportsman that he is not here to be in Anthony’s shadow.
“I had a long break from boxing. I turned 18 and did what every 18-year-old was doing,” Will says smiling. “I was earning a wage and started going to the pub.
The pub was better than the gym at that time. I had a few years out, came back and then COVID hit. That took another two years off me. I went back to the amateurs, but it wasn’t really for me. I’d rather get paid for it!”
“I’m not here to be in Anthony’s shadow, I want to shine my own light in the sport. The way I fight, I’m pretty exciting. I’ll make my own fans from off the back of that and I look forward to doing it. But anyone who comes to watch me off the back of Anthony, I couldn’t be more thankful for them.
“I’m a very different style to Anthony. Anthony is very correct, all from a very good, solid base. My base is solid, but I’ve always switched-hit. I believe if you’re going to switch-hit, it’s to your advantage, keeps your opponent thinking. It’s exciting to watch and I plan on showing that on the 27th.”
Crolla will make his debut on May 27 on the undercard of Leigh Wood’s rematch with Mauricio Lara at the AO Arena in Manchester, an event that will be live streamed on DAZN.