Fresh off a trip to Spain to watch Manchester United triumph over Villareal, Anthony Crolla returned to the Betfred Boxing Show, as he praised Shawn Porter, who retired last weekend after a tough defeat to Terence Crawford.

He paid special homage to the father-son relationship between Kenny and Shawn, one which has served them well as ‘Showtime’ has enjoyed a glittering career in the sport.

Nonetheless, moving forward, the fight that everyone wants to see according to Crolla, is Crawford vs Errol Spence Jr, undoubtedly a collision that would move the needle in the welterweight division. 

Crawford and Spence are on an elite list of the sport’s fighters, a list that also includes Teofimo Lopez, who defends his title this weekend against tough Australian, George Kambosos Jr. 

Crolla emphasised he sees a real belief in the mindset of Kambosos, who goes into the bout as a significant underdog. 

Furthermore, it’s a fight that has been inflamed by tensions between the two camps, as Lopez’s father has fueled the animosity between the two teams stirring intensity with numerous comments. 

Crolla commented on the fight: “It’s a genuine grudge match. I just feel that the only way I can see Kambosos causing a huge upset, because it would be that big, is down to how Lopez makes weight – he’s the biggest lightweight I have ever seen.

“What Lopez is a true athlete and I think he is going to go out there and look to catch Kambosos early. I see Lopez getting the job done.”