Vasyl Lomachenko v Anthony Crolla: Everything you need to know
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Where can I watch it? What are the odds?
Anthony Crolla will make his United States debut during the early hours of Saturday morning as he takes on Vasyl Lomachenko for the WBA (Super) and WBO lightweight titles.
The Ukrainian belt holder was due to fight Richard Commey after the Ghanaian defeated Isa Chaniev for the vacant IBF lightweight title. But a hand injury to the 32-year-old has gifted Manchester-born Crolla his chance at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
Can he take it? We’ve got everything you need to know about the fight.
When is it and where can I watch it?
Lomachenko v Crolla is expected to get underway at around 5am UK Time on Saturday 13th April 2019. It is the main fight on a card which also includes Arnold Barboza Jr. v Mike Alvarado and Gilberto Ramirez v Tommy Karpency.
You can watch all three contests live on Sky Sports Action or Sky Sports Main Event from 3am.
What is Lomachenko’s record?
It’s not an exaggeration to say this will be the toughest fight of Crolla’s career. His opponent has won 12 of his 13 bouts as a professional, suffering his only defeat to Orlando Salido in 2014.
Since then The Matrix has been a machine. The 31-year-old has won 11 fights in a row including the notable scalp of Jorge Linares for the WBA and The Ring titles in May 2018. Crolla lost back-to-back against Linares when the pair met in 2016 and 2017.
Lomachenko is also a two-time Olympic gold medallist and is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. His hand speed, footwork and impeccable timing set him out from the rest.
What is Crolla’s record?
Crolla has a professional record of 34-6-3. But after losing twice to Linares by unanimous decision there are questions over whether the 32-year-old can cut it at this level.
He’s won three on the bounce coming into the bout. But victories over Ricky Burns, Edson Ramirez and Daud Yordan don’t really set the pulse racing.
Million Dolla doesn’t lack heart. He’ll give it his all at the Staples Centre and could take the fight the distance. However, he will probably just lack the quality required to win a bout of this magnitude.
What are the odds ahead of the fight?
The Coral traders can’t see anything other than a Lomachenko victory. He’s heavily odds-on at 1/66 against 14/1 for Crolla and 33/1 about the Draw or Technical Draw.
Regardless of the result, Crolla won’t give up without a fight. After taking Linares the distance twice it’s 7/2 for Lomachenko to Win By Decision or Technical Decision. Alternatively the holder is a 10/11 chance to win the bout in Rounds 7-12.
View the latest Vasyl Lomachenko v Anthony Crolla odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
