Panel: How Crolla pips Linares

Anthony Crolla is without doubt taking on his toughest opponent to date in the shape of Jorge Linares, so what does he need to do to win?

The Venezuelan is a three-weight world champion and even though the Mancunian is the bookies’ favourite, we asked The Panel for their tactical verdict.

Here’s what Sky Sports’ boxing experts think Crolla needs to do to write another successful chapter in his fairy-tale rise to the top…

Johnny Nelson

In Crolla’s recent big fights, I have to say he’s proved me wrong, putting on such good performances – but I still think there is more to come from him. He has stuck to the gameplan, tucked up tight and boxed tight with discipline. We’ve seen that in the last two fights and I think we will see that again.

This going to be a tough, tough night but Crolla has got so much in his arsenal, I have made a U-turn. I know Ant has got more in the locker. I think we will see the Crolla we have seen before but don’t under-estimate this lad like I might have done – he can hit, he can tuck up and he is smart. He will organise his onslaughts and show he is even better than we’ve seen to date.

Spencer Oliver

You don’t become a three-weight world champion unless you can fight and we saw that when Linares beat Kevin Mitchell. But we also saw he is vulnerable; he is an on-top fighter who wants things his own way and when he gets ruffled he looks like a different fighter. Doing that will be the key to Crolla winning this.

He’s just got to stay there, keep chipping away …

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