Crolla wants Sykes to stick to his word in rematch !

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http://news.boxrec.com/news/2010/crolla-coming-back-and-looking-sykes

Crolla coming back and looking for Sykes

Submitted by Martin Dobbing on 8 April, 2010 - 12:29
It is often said, that you need to taste disappointment to really reach the heights that you are truly capable of. This is no better illustrated than in the career of Manchester super-featherweight Anthony Crolla.
After his points defeat to Gary Sykes in an eliminator the the British title, many considered the once stellar prospect consigned to the ranks of domestic contender. It is, however, the way you bounce back and make a name for yourself. Since that day, Crolla has gone on to effectively end the career of one of Manchester's greatest fighters, and stands on the cusp of a title shot. Still, he remembers the day it all went wrong against Sykes.
“I learned a lot from that fight. It was a a great match but I was still disappointed. It wasn't down to me not living the life, but still I felt flat after four rounds. I think I may have over-trained, not had enough rest periods. I still made it close but just didn't have enough. But I'm not here to make excuses, let's make that clear.”
Truly, that was one of the undercard battles of the year - but the right man won. He would go on to claim the British title a couple of fights later. Crolla would go on to re-evaluate his career and work out where exactly he was going. Changes would have to be made and that they were. A change of promoter and trainer ensued, Frank Warren and Anthony Farnell were left behind and were replaced by a new promoter fronted in Ricky Hatton, and a new trainer in Joe Gallagher. Still, there are no hard feeling for harvested by the Manchester man.
“My contract was up with Mr Warren and I wanted a change, to move on. I got an offer from Hatton Promotions and that was better for me. They had plenty of local fights and promised to keep me busy, that's what I really wanted. I still get on great with Anthony, but he had this thing where he only trained Frank Warren fighters, so I had to move on. Still, it's a great gym.”
The move to Joe Gallagher has proven rather successful. The results speak for themselves, but the hard work comes in the gym, where Joe has re-moulded Crolla into the fighting machine we see today. Anthony is glowing at the changes he has gone through.
“It's been brilliant. Joe is a great trainer and has added things to my game. With Kerry Kayes there, my strength has rocketed. I am sitting down on my shots more. Joe told me that I always had a great engine, but I never had a gearbox, now I have the gearbox. He has added so much to my game, I have a lot to thank him for.”
The sparring has also been of great benefit to Crolla, as he explains.
“I'm not taking anything away from my old gym, they have some great kids there, but moving to Joe's gym has got me sparring with John and Joe Murray. What better preparation can you get than to spar with, in my opinion, the best lightweight in Europe in John? He has been helping me out with my next fight coming up. He may not have a bout coming up himself but he says it helps him as well. He is a really nice lad.”
The big test for Crolla at the end of last year was when he faced off against Mancunian legend, Michael Brodie. Michael was embarking on a comeback and we were to witness a real crossroads fight. The tried and tested world title contender against the up and comer whose level was yet to be found. Crolla would go on to to ruin one of his boyhood heroes in three rounds. A big night for Anthony.
“It was a big Manchester fight, there was a lot of pressure on both of us. In regards to Brodie's comeback, a lot of people were saying he shouldn't be fighting, yet many others thought he would walk right through me. Joe came up with a brilliant game plan and it worked a treat. People shouldn't go changing their minds after the fight. Let's not start changing our minds afterwards. I'm not going to sit here and say that that was the Michael Brodie who fought those wars against In-jin Chi, and who took on Willie Jorrin, but when he backed me up in the second, a lot of people would have folded. That night he was still dangerous and he would have beaten a lot of super-feathers in the country. It really was a big night for me.”
It will always be difficult getting credit for a fight like that, but anyone who saw 'the new Crolla' realised they were witnessing something special. Just how special will be figured out in the forthcoming months.
So once again the future looks bright for 'Million Dollar' Crolla. First things first, he fights on the Salford bill this coming Saturday, and then the world is his oyster.
"I have got Sid Razak on Saturday. I know his record isn't that great but he always gives it a go, he is tough and will give me a few rounds, he has only been stopped a few times. Then the talk is that I'm getting a title shot of some sort, don't know what but that should be around May time. I'm not going to look past Razak though, that would be stupid. I have never done that and never will.”
However, one name stands out above all others in the list of people Anthony Crolla wishes to face. That is the name of the man who in beating him, opened up a new chapter of his Crolla's life. That name is Gary Sykes.
“If we go again I think I will do a number on him. I don't mean to be disrespectful, Gary is a lovely kid, but when he fought Andy Morris, yes it was a good fight, but I saw so many things that I could expose. I really want that one.”
It seems inevitable that that one will happen sooner rather than later. Anyone who saw the first encounter would pray that we don't have to wait too long, it could even be better than the original fight, we will see.
First up Crolla will pray for no slip ups against Sid Razak, no cuts or injuries. Then it's time to fight for his first title. It appears that Anthony Crolla, after his re-birth, is once again set to be the golden prospect so many were proclaiming him as just a few short years ago