Tuesday 13 September 2016 17:53, UK
Jorge Linares has warned Anthony Crolla that his hometown fans won’t affect the result of their world title bout this month.
Crolla (31-4-3 KO13) will defend his WBA lightweight title against three-weight world champion Linares, live on Sky Sports on September 24, in Manchester - in front of the partisan supporters that witnessed his exciting wins over Darleys Perez and Ismael Barroso.
But Linares (40-3 KO27) is no stranger to British shores - he successfully defended his WBC belt against Kevin Mitchell in May 2015 - and expects to feel at home in Manchester.
The supporters cannot get in the ring with their fighter, it's just me and him.
"I love fighting in my opponent's back yard with all the noise that comes with it from their fans," said the Venezuelan. "The supporters cannot get in the ring with their fighter, it's just me and him.
"When I first started to fight all over the world it took some time to adjust but now, it's easy and I am confident doing it.
"The fans are excited for this one. We're both world-class fighters and world champions that are willing to fight each other, as we're proving in this one. There's no need to trash talk or build the fight up, it's a great fight and there's lots of respect between us.
"The best fighter on the night is going to win, and I think that's going to be me."
Linares was the full WBC lightweight title-holder until he was downgraded to 'champion in recess' due to injury - he has previously held world titles at featherweight and super-featherweight.
