Tuesday 19 May 2015 15:40, UK
Anthony Crolla will complete his remarkable return to boxing with a world title fight against Darleys Perez in July.
The Manchester lightweight will challenge Perez for the WBA belt at the Manchester Arena on July 18 on the Scott Quigg-Kiko Martinez bill, live on Sky Sports.
Crolla has not fought since a confrontation with intruders at his neighbours' house late last year left him with a fractured skull and a badly broken ankle.
Those injuries not only scuppered a planned title fight with then-WBA champion Richar Abril but also threatened to wreck his boxing career for good.
"It’s amazing to be back in the ring and fighting for my first world title," Crolla said. "Lying in my hospital bed after the attack, I didn’t know what the future held, I was just lucky to be alive, but I have worked so hard and had so much support that I have to win that title.
"Perez is a great fighter and I know I am going to have to be at my very best to beat him, but with everything that has happened, it feels like I am destined to win the belt and I will be busting a gut in the gym to be in the best shape I have ever been in on the night to get that belt."
Perez, the former interim champion who succeeded stripped champ Abril in April, is a Colombian beaten just once in 33 contests.
He said: "Anthony Crolla is a tough boxer, but I know I have what it takes to beat him in style. My plan is to travel to England and gain new fans with a devastating victory over their hometown favourite."
Promoter Eddie Hearn has announced further additions to a bill also featuring Anthony Joshua: Sam Eggington and Glenn Foot meet for the vacant British welterweight title, while light-welterweights Chris Jenkins and Tyrone Nurse also fight for a Lonsdale belt.
