Hearn: It's so great that Lomachenko is focusing on legacy

By Jake Donovan

Anthony Crolla has overcome enough obstacles and especially out of the ring so that his family can not help but believe in his chances in front of the biggest fight of his professional career.

The legendary legendary former Manchester, England, is a huge outsider who launches into his mandatory title challenge with his 135-pound unlisted fellow and his pound-to-pound competitor, Vasiliy Lomachenko Friday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Angeles, California.

The focus has been more on the event celebrating the first anniversary of the launch of ESPN +, ESPN's streaming platform, than on the fight itself. The challenger and his team are no less lost, they are well aware of the hard battle they face, but they always openly accept the challenge and intend to create a big surprise.

"As a unified champion, your responsibility is in part to face your mandatory opponents," said Eddie Hearn, Crolla's promoter, who explained that Lomachenko (12-1, 9KO) was forced to deal with his accusations. "So thanks to Loma and Egis (Klimas, Lomachenko's boss) for not leaving the belt, but saying" No, no, we will not do it. " We want unifying fights, but we also accept the responsibility that comes from being a champion. "

Crolla (34-6-3, 13KOs) held a lightweight title for 10 months after a knockout victory in the fifth round against Darleys Perez in their November 2015 rematch. The fight took place just four months after the controversial draw of the twelve rounds, six months after Brit, 32, fractured his skull and broke his ankle after repelling two burglars.

His title victory crowned an incredible comeback story, but the glory was only short-lived as he conceded the title to Jorge Linares in September '16. Efforts to regain the title were even more unbalanced in their return match in March 17, after winning three straight, including a unanimous decision against Daud Yordan last November, becoming the next on the list for his former title .

Lomachenko, a two-time gold medalist at the Olympic Games for Ukraine, won his first lightweight title in a standout victory over Linares last May. This victory earned him to become a three-division top three, adding to his collection in his next fight, a 12-round decision against Jose Pedraza in their unification bout of 135 pounds last December.

The hope was to add a third belt because this date was originally reserved for Lomachenko to face Ghana's Richard Ghana, who won a 135-pound title last February. However, his playoff victory in the second round against Isa Chaniev came at the cost of a hand injury, which he was only allowed to return to recently.

As a result, the 31-year-old Ukrainian left-hander was forced to a mandatory title defense for his next ring road adventure. He could just as easily have yielded a title and continue a more lucrative – if not more significant – fight. Instead, he did the right thing, struggling in the hope of further unifying his next ring adventure.

"It's so great that Lomachenko has chosen to focus on inheritance rather than just big money," said Hearn, a compliment that was only partially appreciated by the other side.

Lomachenko is fighting under the Top Rank banner, founded more than 50 years ago by Bob Arum. The Hall of Fame promoter, who is still energetic at 87, has never been short of words, especially when it comes to rummaging through Hearn, one of his favorite targets.

"I like what you said," noted Arum, but only before trying to cash in the right gesture immediately. "I hope you have the same attitude when Kubrat Pulev (the heavyweight promoted by the Top Rank), the number one contender of the IBF challenges (Anthony, the title of the unified heavyweights), n & rsquo; Was not beaten. "

For what it's worth, the offer was not rejected.

"Absolutely, I'm all after this fight," Hearn joked.

Friday's fight is just the third for Crolla outside of his native England, and his first in the United States. He also marks his first career title outside his hometown of Manchester.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox