Wednesday 21 September 2016 10:51, UK
Terry Flanagan believes Anthony Crolla can systematically break Jorge Linares' spirit when the pair clash in Manchester on Saturday night.
WBA world lightweight ruler Crolla (30-4-3-KO13) defends against three-weight world champion Linares (40-3-KO27) live on Sky Sports and WBO king Flanagan - an old school friend of 'Million Dollar' - will be an interested spectator.
Flanagan told Sky Sports: "Linares is world class and so is Crolla. They've both proven it at world level and it'll be a good fight but one that Crolla can win.
"Linares is a good fighter who can fight and box but we think he can't hold a shot as well as he used to. Mitchell put him down with a shot and Linares looked a bit sorry for himself.
"Watching that fight, I thought it was close but that Mitchell was on his way to winning a world title without really doing anything. He wasn't at his best and he was winning the fight. If Anthony can get in and set about him, Linares might start feeling sorry for himself and look for a way out.
Linares is a fight we wanted. We want only the big names. I hope Crolla can happen but we are with different promoters.
"Linares will come in to win and believe he's going to but once that bit of doubt sets in his mind, I think he'll start looking for a way out."
Despite The Ring magazine title being on the line, Flanagan believes he's deserving of a say as to the world's best 135lb-fighter and remains hopeful of taking on either Linares or putting friendship aside to face Crolla.
'Turbo' added: "Linares is a fight we wanted. We want only the big names.
"I hope Crolla can happen but we are with different promoters. They're the fights that I want. I saw him the other night at yoga and wished him luck against Linares but I want the fight and so does the public.
"I genuinely believe I'm No 1 but I just haven't had the chance to prove it. I'm WBO world champion and I've defended it three times.
"I want unification fights. Dejan Zlaticanin was mentioned and we accepted an offer but then he decided to fight Mikey Garcia. He must have seen that as the easier fight otherwise he could have fought for two titles rather than one.
"I'm trying to get those big fights and step up to the plate to make it happen but nothing seems to be coming off at the minute."
Flanagan was last in action in July when he comfortably outpointed Mzonke Fana in Cardiff.
Crolla vs Linares is live and exclusive on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm this Saturday
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