Will Crolla loves life as a professional fighter. The 26-year-old has literally earned a ringside seat in honor of his older brother Anthony's outstanding career, spending countless days watching the former lightweight world champion rise to the top through hard work and determination. spent at the gym. When the 25-year-old light-middleweight finally decided to take the sport seriously himself, he did so with a better idea than most of what it takes to be successful. But a year into his career, he was faced with a very harsh memory.
“Last week was one of the hardest weeks I've ever had,” Crolla, 4-0 (3 KOs), told BoxingScene. “I wasn't feeling great, but I knew I had to start my rounds, do some sparring, go to yoga, do some S&C. I was questioning myself, and I understood. That was fun. It felt really good because I was able to answer questions and check boxes that I hadn't done before. If you don't find the answer in the 6 round level, you won't be able to find it later.
“I feel like a pro now. I can't say I have a lot of experience, but it's like that. I have a lot more experience than a lot of people. In professional boxing, being there is very I believe that's a big thing and I've seen it at the highest level for years. None of this is new to me. Now I know what I'll strive for to get there. Everything.”
Crolla may have a famous last name, but she wasn't given that opportunity as a boon. Although he may not yet have the same profile as other famous boxing brothers, the Manchenian was an excellent student fighter who left the sport in his teens. If he had remained in the gym on his own rather than joining the watching briefs, he very well could have started this journey years ago and been taken as an undercard for his older brother. It is high.
Timing is everything in boxing and Crolla has grown as a person and now knows exactly what he wants to do with his life. He is a key figure at Anthony's gym in Oldham and has learned from his past mistakes.
“When I was an amateur, I was able to do the bare minimum and win against good girls, but I believed that if I cut corners, people would find out, and when I turned 15 or 16, I started losing to people I should never have lost to. “I learned that if talented people don't work hard, hard work beats talent,'' he said.
“I was watching boxing one day and thought, 'I should do that too.' I came back at 15 and a half stone and almost finished. I started getting sharper and hitting the pads and then… I said I'd join in the sparring.
“It started to fall into place, and now I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm sharp. I wasn't sharp when I debuted. I was ready because it was the next step, but now… I feel like I’m where I need to be and I feel like I’m improving every week.”
Crolla's short career was certainly full of ups and downs. Since winning by decision in his debut, the switch hitter has quickly racked up three wins and appears to be a natural force. That power developed naturally over the years, partly through hard work and age, and partly by watching some of the best British fighters of recent times go about their business.
“I got counted out a few times when I was a kid, but my legs felt really good. I didn't live at home, but I used to move, and I could box. . I stood up and tried to direct people to my right hand or left hook. I changed my mind and started to focus on the shot a little more. I'm very good on the back foot. I don't have to show it yet so no one I haven't seen it yet. I'm looking forward to that day.
“I've watched pros like John Murray and Matt Macklin. I've seen how they sit and shoot. I grew up around the Smith brothers and Scott Quigg. I grew up in probably one of the greatest eras of boxing. I've seen when world champions used to come here and spar. I've only picked bits and pieces from all of them. Whether it's the way someone throws a left hook to the body and then comes to the head, or the way they rotate afterwards, I believe that helps create my style. .”
Crolla may have made his debut at the AO Arena, the same venue where his brother's most famous night was held, and went straight to victory at Liverpool's Echo Arena, but he has since happily worked away from the spotlight. He earned modest stoppage wins at the Bowlers Exhibition Center and Oldham Sports Center, where he works and records, and gets used to the daily grind in the gym.
He returned to Manchester's famous arena on Saturday and believes Matchroom could sign him to a long-term deal soon if he wins against Italy's Fabio Cascone. Crolla believes he's ready for a bigger promotion and deserves as much attention as up-and-comers like Junaid Bostan and Jimmy Saines, who compete at or near 154 pounds. I would like to prove that.
“I train every day as if I'm one of the most promising players in this country,” he said. “That's how I feel and how I train. Whether people say I'm cheating or a liar, that's fine, but in my head, That's me. If my last few games were on TV, there would have been more hype around me, but I don't really care.
“I believe I'm just as good as the up-and-comers on TV, so I'm going to show that this year. I'm going to get on the big stage and get results and by the end of this year I believe he will become a hot topic as one of these promising prospects.”
