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The Story Of Anthony Crolla Who Nearly Died But Returns To Boxing Tonight

The Story Of Anthony Crolla Who Nearly Died But Returns To Boxing Tonight

What an inspiration.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Whether you're a fan of boxing or not, there's a certain amount of respect you have to give to men or women who get their heads punched in for a living.

In the case of Anthony Crolla, however, there's a completely different kind of admiration and respect to be laid at his feet, as he returns to the ring tonight.

Way back in January of last year, Crolla was set to compete in his first world title fight, but the bout was cancelled due to an injury that not only put his boxing career in jeopardy, but also his life.

On December 16, 2014, the 28-year-old lightweight returned to his home in Oldham when he noticed his neighbour's alarm going off. Upon further inspection, Crolla realised the house was being burgled by two men.

Credit: PA

The man that he is, the boxer obviously decided to intervene, chasing down the burglars. "I thought I'll easily outrun them," Crolla told the Guardian. "I ran round the back and got to the end of the avenue. I could see them."

Catching up to the men as they scaled a fence in a back garden, he was able to grab one by the ankle. However, just a few seconds later, Crolla would be hobbling home with a broken ankle and a fractured skull.

He said: "There were loose concrete slabs on top of the wall. As I'm holding the one burglar, the other one threw this slab down on my head.

"I thought, 'Bloody hell, that didn't half hurt.' I knew it wasn't a punch. I knew exactly what he'd hit me with.

"I also knew my ankle had gone straightway, but I jumped back up. The second burglar was halfway over the wall and I couldn't catch him because my ankle had gone. I stumbled back home."

Credit: PA

With blood pouring down his face and a shattered ankle, the boxer returned to his house more worried about what would happen with his upcoming fight, rather than anything else.

A doctor broke the news to Crolla that his ankle was broken in two places, which meant his fight the following month was off. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The following news hit harder than any uppercut could - he had a fractured skull, and was very lucky to be alive.

"I was heartbroken," he said. "I thought, 'Fucking hell. I can't believe this'. I started worrying about whether I'd ever box again."

The real story tonight, as Crolla takes on Jorge Linares, is not the WBA and WBC belts on the line, but it's the 28-year-old's admirable return to boxing.

After that ordeal, it's a huge achievement to be back boxing, no matter what the outcome is.

Featured Image Credit: PA