Sunday 19 July 2015 12:32, UK
Jamie Moore says Anthony Crolla will get even better on the back of the devastating result on Saturday night.
The Manchester lightweight had to settle for a majority draw against WBA lightweight champion Darleys Perez in front of his local fans at the Manchester Arena.
Moore, another local boxing hero, clearly had Crolla down as the winner after 12 tough, non-stop rounds.
He's only 28, he's in his prime and he's got two or three years to grow into a world-class fighter.
And while he not only wants the 28-year-old to be given a rematch, he had nothing but praise for his performance.
"We spoke before about this being similar to an FA Cup final and how you always rise to the occasion and that's what Anthony Crolla did," added Moore.
"He came out and every single time he had a setback, he came back better.
"Tonight it was the best Anthony Crolla we've ever seen.
"Dont forget that was his first little step into world class, so imagine how he's going to grow on that.
"He's only 28, he's in his prime and he's got two or three years to grow into a world-class fighter."
Moore and fellow Sky Sports pundit Carl Froch could barely believe the outcome watching on from ringside.
The scores initially revealed read "114-113, 116-111, 113-113" although the scores should have been 113-113, 111-116, 113-113. making it a majority draw. The former fighters felt Crolla did enough - even without Perez having two points deducted for low blows.
"I had Anthony Crolla three or four rounds up without the points taken off," added Moore.
"I thought he'd bossed it, he set the tempo. He did that, he boxed behind a jab which was magnificent. It didn't really get picked up until late in the fight but he did it from the off, doubling the jab and then coming inside.
"I am gob-smacked. I thought with the two points off, I had him winning the fight."
