Jorge Linares plans to prove himself the best lightweight in the world by beating Anthony Crolla on Saturday and then step up to 140lbs, says his promoter.
The Venezuelan three-weight world champion (40-3-KO27) faces WBA world lightweight champion Crolla (31-4-3-KO13) in Manchester on Saturday night - live on Sky Sports, and the Ring magazine belt provides extra incentive in what could be Linares' last bout at 135lbs.
He was last seen on British shores in May 2015 fighting out a classic 10th-round victory over Kevin Mitchell, who has suggested in the lead-up to his clash with Crolla that Linares is past his best.
But promoter Robert Diaz told Sky Sports News HQ: "We're happy to be back. He's excited to be back and saw the ambience British fans provide. It was London last time and Manchester provides even more.
"He knows what to expect but he won't realise how big it is on Saturday because Anthony is loved here, he's a great role model and he's good for boxing. That's why there's been respect on both sides.
"Jorge has a lot of experience fighting all over the world. He's very comfortable because he knows the hard work has been done. He's anxious to get in the ring and perform on Saturday night.
"He's going through his best moment. We haven't seen the best Jorge. He's matured over the last year. He's settling down and I think he learned a lot from the Kevin Mitchell fight - that he can go down, get up and win a fight.
"Winning the Ring title and becoming the No 1 division, the WBA title (a promise he made to Dr Mendoza, who passed away two months ago), it all definitely puts him at the top of the boxing world and then he wants to go up to 140lbs to take on the best there."
Crolla vs Linares is live and exclusive on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30 this Saturday
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