Anthony Crolla expecting 'special night' against Ricky Burns at the Manchester Arena

By Mark Crellin

Anthony Crolla faces Ricky Burns in a must-win British lightweight battle on October 7, live on Sky Sports

Anthony Crolla is expecting a "special night" against Ricky Burns, adding there is no need for trash talk ahead of the fight.

The British duo are looking to get their careers back on track after losing world titles when they meet at the Manchester Arena on October 7, live on Sky Sports, with the winner of the bout potentially in line for another title shot.

But the outlook will be a lot less promising for the loser and Crolla says he is fully aware of what is at stake.

Image: Crolla and Burns are putting their careers on the line in Manchester

"It's huge, absolutely huge," Crolla told Sky Sports News. "I always say your next fight is the most important of your career and certainly in this case it is.

"The winner goes on to challenge for world titles again, the loser has a long, tough road back.

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"Both of us have been boxing at the highest level of the sport for the last few years and we want to stay at that level."

The former WBA lightweight champion has lost his last two fights by unanimous decision, but they were both high-quality encounters against Jorge Linares.

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And the 30-year-old believes the experience gained in those fights will help him against Burns.

Ricky Burns knows the importance of his upcoming fight with Crolla.

"I am a better fighter for it, Jorge is a class act," he added. "For me, he is up there on the pound-for-pound list. I went 24 good rounds with him and I believe I am still improving.

"I know it's a tough fight (against Burns) but, get everything right, and I am confident I will come out on top."

A possible Crolla-Burns fight has been mooted for a while and the Mancunian thinks the autumn showdown will prove well worth the wait.

"I have known Ricky for a number of years now," he said. "We go way back and there has been talk of us fighting since 2011. I feel that now we will produce a better fight than if it would have been then.

Ricky will bring a great crowd down and the atmosphere will be red-hot, I believe it will be another special night at the Arena.
Anthony Crolla

"We are both more hungry than we have ever been and we are both improving fighters.

"It is not the kind of fight that needs trash talk to sell.

"People who like the sport of boxing know this is going to be a great fight.

"Ricky will bring a great crowd down and the atmosphere will be red-hot, I believe it will be another special night at the Arena."

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