Crolla to look a Million Dollars

Tonight at the Ravenscraig Leisure Centre in Motherwell, Manchester's Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla (22-2, 9 KO's) makes the first defence of his British lightweight title against home favourite Willie Limond (34-3, 8 KO's).

Expect a great, fan friendly war tonight

Crolla is a big favourite here with the bookies, but when you consider this is his first defence, and the company Limond has mixed in, this is certainly no gimme. I'm a massive fan of Crolla, people who read my stuff know that I like Joe Gallagher fighters and I love how dedicated this guy is. Winning the Lonsdale belt was a big thing for him, and I'm pretty sure he will want one for keeps, so like we saw in his superb 9^th round TKO of John Watson in February, expect plenty of fire from Crolla. He's looking strong at lightweight and although he's not a renowned puncher, he certainly has got plenty of power, and also picks his shots well. I think this guy is destined for bigger and better things and this could be a real breakthrough night for him.

Limond has got great heart and in 12 year career to lose to only Alex Arthur, Amir Khan and Erik Morales says a lot about how good this guy is. The 32 year old has boxed a 105 more rounds than Crolla and although people will say he's got the experience, for me he may just be a bit too long in the tooth. His last big fight was Morales in Mexico in September and he did really well early on in that fight, only to get KO'ed in six, that having been put down three times. What he really struggled with in that fight was body shots and although Morales is a great fighter, I think it's a sign that Limond is an ageing fighter with not a huge amount left. The problem I have with Limond is that although he's a real warrior, he's never really beaten anyone of note and when stepped up in class he's ended up getting stopped, mine and the bookies opinion suggests this is a big step up in class and he will find it hard.

Both guys love a tear up and I think that is going to suit the champion from Manchester. In his last fight he fought on the undercard of Mayweather v Ortiz at the MGM Grand, great experience for him and that will have definitely matured him as a fighter. It's going to be a war and this will be a proper fan fight, but I fancy Crolla by a stoppage in round nine or ten.