Gallagher slams Crolla critics and accuses Burns camp of running scared!

An article from Britbox


Trainer Joe Gallagher today hit out at critics who have declared his fighter, Anthony Crolla, as undeserving of a world title shot against WBO belt holder, Ricky Burns. Gallagher is upset that his fighter has not been given the credit that the win over former world champion Gavin Rees was deserving of, Gallagher claimed.

“If Rees had beaten Anthony he would have been fighting Ricky, but now Burns’ people are saying that Crolla isn’t good enough to fight for a title. When he fought Paulus Moses for the title last year, it was meant to be Crolla in the opposite corner that night. We all agreed to the fight, it was only Hatton Promotions that refused to let Anthony fight on that bill.”

Burns put in a fantastic performance that night to defeat the Namibian fighter, whilst Crolla lost his British Lightweight title to Liverpool’s Derry Matthews a month after. Gallagher concedes it may have been a blessing in disguise for the 25 year old Mancunian.

“I think Ricky’s best performance was against Moses, so maybe, in hindsight, its better we didn’t face him that night. Anthony is a better fighter than he was last year. He beat Gavin Rees who was ranked number six by Ring Magazine. Rees was considered a viable opponent, so why isn’t Anthony regarded in the same way? Crawford has been calling Ricky out, but if I was him I’d be like Andre Ward and telling [Terence]Crawford to get to the back of the queue!”

Before Burns can even think about a fight with ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla, the Scottish champion faces a tough bout with Mexican Raymundo Beltran, and may then be lined up for a bout with America’s Terence Crawford. But Gallagher believes his man has more right to fight for the title than the American.

“Burns is facing Beltran in a few weeks and if he wins that they’re saying he wants to move on and fight Crawford. Anthony has beaten a world ranked contender in Gavin Rees but Crawford hasn’t really faced anyone yet. He has the hype and he has the backing, but he hasn’t earned his shot the way Anthony has.”

Despite the naysayers, Gallagher is adamant that Crolla deserves his title shot and is a worthy opponent for the 30 year old Scot.

“As I said earlier, Anthony beat Ring Magazine’s number six at lightweight, a man who was a former light welterweight champion of the world and who, four months before we fought him, had faced Adrien Broner for the title. Anthony is well deserving of an opportunity to fight Burns, provided Ricky wins his next fight. I see people who say he doesn’t deserve of a title shot but a lot of these people are the ones who think George Groves deserves to fight Carl Froch. What has Groves done to deserve a title shot? He beat an over the hill Glenn Johnson and hasn’t fought anyone of note since that fight.

“Anthony has beaten and been in with some very good fighters. As well as beating Rees, he’s beaten, Willie Limond and Andy Morris. He also drew with Derry Mathews and everyone knows that Derry is one of the most underrated fighters out there.

“Some of the fighters Burns has been scheduled to fight haven’t been of the highest calibre, like Jose Ocampo who had lost a few fights and Liam Walsh who, without being disrespectful, hasn’t beaten anyone of note in the domestic lightweight division never mind at world level.”

Gallagher acknowledges that Crolla may not be the biggest lightweight in the division, having fought previously at super featherweight, but he doesn’t believe this is as big a disadvantage as many do.

“We know he isn’t the biggest lightweight in the world, but he doesn’t have a struggle to make the weight and that’s to his advantage. Just look at the ninth round against Gavin Rees, when Rees tried to bully him. In the end, it was Anthony who stood his ground and came out on top in that round.”

Gallagher believes that, while Burns himself isn’t ducking a fight with Crolla, the people around him are not interested in a bout with his man.

“It’s hard to say that Ricky Burns is running from Anthony Crolla without being laughed at, but I think his trainer Billy Nelson isn’t too keen on the fight. He knows it isn’t a ‘gimme’ fight and it could be a potential banana skin. He was happy for Ricky to fight Anthony last year but this is a better Anthony Crolla than last year. If this is an easy fight like they’ve been claiming then come and have a nice simple payday, give Anthony his shot and we’ll shake hands at the end of it.”

The Mancunian fighter is a confirmed admirer of the Coatbridge man, and Gallagher admits that Burns is an ideal role model for any aspiring fighter.

“Anthony is an admirer of Ricky and sees the way his career has gone as a blueprint for himself. Ricky lost a couple of fights early in his career, but he bounced back and look where he is now. I believe the Anthony of now beats the Anthony of last year, when he was due to face Burns. I really don’t know how anyone can say that this isn’t a better fight than it was last year. It is in my opinion.”

Gallagher reiterated his belief that his man deserves of a title shot and sent a message out to the Scottish title holder.

“I’m saying to Ricky Burns, don’t be running. Come down to Manchester or we’ll come up to Glasgow, and we’ll fight and take care of some unfinished business".

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