Latest news with #AnthonyCrolla
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wilkinson revels in 'redemption' win against Crolla
Fraser Wilkinson is hoping a statement win over William Crolla on Saturday can provide a pathway to a full-time 24-year-old Moray-born fighter was back at work as a builder on Monday after toppling the previously unbeaten younger brother of former WBA lightweight world champion Anthony on the Jack Catterall - Harlem Eubank undercard in Manchester, super-welterweight Wilkinson stopped the hometown favourite in the sixth round, causing a huge upset."It was a very special moment," he told BBC Sport who's pro record now stands at 12 victories and two defeats, has recovered well after losing to Aberdeen's Dean Sutherland at the end of last year, winning both fights since then."This was a bit of a redemption fight for me," he said. "It was a chance for me to get on a bigger platform and do what I was meant to do at the Beach Ballroom [against Sutherland]."I still work 9 to 5. I have got to get in the gym in the morning and then train straight after. I do that at least four days a week and then on the Friday I train once and Saturday I train once."People that saw me perform at the weekend, working full-time. Imagine what I can do when I am fully focused and actually training full-time."Wilkinson finished Crolla with a flurry of blows, having floored his opponent in the fifth round."If something comes of it it is going to be a remarkable win," he added. "If nothing comes off the back of it, it has just been another notch on the record."For me it is big personally, just because I have dreamed of being on a Matchroom show since I was a kid and it was everything I thought it would have been."Hopefully, he [promoter Eddie Hearn] looked at my performance and thought 'that kid has actually got a bit of something I would like to get behind'."But if it doesn't I am not going to sit here and sulk. I am going to move on with my career, that is the most important bit. I will just keep going like I have always done. No matter what, I just keep going."
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Who is Will Crolla and what is his relation to boxing legend Anthony?
WILL CROLLA has emerged as one of Britain's top boxing talents - and he is destined for greatness like his family member, Anthony. Crolla has knocked out around 75% of his opponents since making his professional debut in 2023. 2 And the heavy-hitter is hoping to put a title around his waist as he eyes clashes with some of the big boys in the sport. But before then, SunSport takes a deep dive into his background and what his relation is with boxing superstar Anthony Crolla. Who is Will Crolla? Born and currently residing in Manchester, England, William Crolla - commonly known as Will - is a British boxer destined for greatness. The 26-year-old is in the super welterweight division and fights with a Southpaw stance. And at the time of typing this, William currently boasts a record of eight wins out of eight, six of them being knockouts. Crolla made his professional debut in May 2023, where he was dropped before scoring a points victory against Joe Hardy. He then earned a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing in July 2024. Since then, he has been in tremendous form and picked up his fifth straight knockout with a brilliant first-round stoppage on the undercard of Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis in October 2024. What is Will Crolla's relation to Anthony? Will Crolla is the younger brother of former world champion Anthony Crolla. He also works under the guidance of Anthony, hence why Will has barely put a foot wrong since making his debut. And ironically, Anthony started his career with eight straight victories before losing his unbeaten run on April 5, 2008 to Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi. However, that didn't stop Anthony as the Orthodox boxer eventually stepped up a weight division before beating John Watson to claim the vacant British lightweight title in 2011. Anthony held onto the belt until 2012, where he would lose it to Derry Matthews. But Will's big brother claimed the WBO Inter-Continental title a little over a year later after upsetting the former WBA lightweight champion Gavin Rees with a majority decision triumph. He was also the WBA lightweight champion from 2015 to 2016, but Anthony Crolla hung up his gloves for good following his 2019 win against Frank Urquiaga. 2 Crolla confidence Will Crolla believes he can make it to the very top in boxing. Speaking to Matt Elliot from fightpost, Crolla said: 'I believe I can go all the way, otherwise, I wouldn't be in boxing, I would go out and get a proper job rather than get punched in the head for a living.' "Eddie paid me a huge compliment the other week as well when he said even if I wasn't Ant's brother, they would've signed me, and that makes the hard work worthwhile. Initially, we are looking at a ten-fight arrangement, I believe, over a two-year period, which is good as it keeps me busy and active, and by the end of it, I want to be pushing for titles.' And Elliot also asked him if his family name brings added pressure. Crolla said: 'Maybe for some people, who think it's a negative, but I relish the pressure of it, I enjoy it, and let's be honest my second name has got me opportunities I probably wouldn't have got without it, so it's been a blessing. "I believe it brings the best out in me, and you do get a lot of people jumping on the bandwagon and saying he's only getting a deal because he's Ant's brother, well the truth is, it may have opened doors but if I was s**t, I wouldn't be getting signed regardless of who my brother is, I am getting a deal because of what I've shown so far; I am there on my own merits.'
