Darleys Perez will defend the WBA Lightweight title against Anthony Crolla on July 18 in Manchester, England according to Dan Rafael of espn.com
Crolla will get the shot after he was left with a fractured skull after being hit with a concrete slab, a broken ankle and a future in doubt in a confrontation just days before his January attempt at the title against Richar Abril.
“It’s amazing to be back in the ring and fighting for my first world title,” Crolla said. “Lying in my hospital bed after the attack, I didn’t know what the future held. I was just lucky to be alive. But I have worked so hard and had so much support that I have to win that world title on July 18.
“Perez is a great fighter, and I know I am going to have to be at my very best to beat him, but with everything that has happened, it feels like I am destined to win the belt and I will be busting a gut in the gym to be in the best shape I have ever been in on the night to get that belt.”
“Anthony Crolla is a tough boxer, but I know I have what it takes to beat him in style,” Perez said. “I’ve been staying busy since my last win in January. My plan is to travel to England and gain new fans with a devastating victory over their hometown favourite.”
“This has been a roller-coaster six months for Anthony,” said Crolla’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “First, he received the dream news that he would challenge Richar Abril, and then just weeks later his world came crashing down when he suffered life-threatening injuries after trying to apprehend burglars from his neighbor’s property. When we got the news of Anthony’s injuries, it was touch and go whether he would fight again.
“He has shown remarkable strength and bravery and I promised him I would deliver him a shot at the world title in his return.”
