Anthony Crolla will face Jorge Linares in a rematch for the WBA lightweight title on March 25 in Manchester, live on Sky Sports Anthony Crolla will face Jorge Linares in a rematch for the WBA lightweight title on March 25 in Manchester, live on Sky Sports

Anthony Crolla will battle Jorge Linares in a rematch at Manchester Arena on March 25, live on Sky Sports.

The 30-year-old lost his WBA lightweight title in an exciting points defeat to Linares in September, but can swiftly regain his belt in an immediate return bout.

Linares won by one and two-point margins on two of the judges' scorecards and Crolla is confident he can swiftly avenge this loss in a second fight, with The Ring Magazine belt also at stake.

Crolla shared a thrilling fight with Linares in September

Crolla told Sky Sports: "You've only got to look at the scorecard. If I hadn't been caught with that shot in a round that I was winning, it would've been a draw.

"It was that close I believe it is one I can win. People are entitled to their own opinions and yes, the right man won and Jorge Linares deserved to get the decision, but there wasn't a lot between us.

"This is the chance to beat the best lightweight in the world and become the best lightweight in the world."

There was little between the two in September until Linares landed a telling punch in the sixth round and Crolla believes this was the turning point in a hard-fought clash.

Venezuelan Linares received a points victory and the WBA belt after a memorable battle in Manchester Venezuelan Linares received a points victory and the WBA belt after a memorable battle in Manchester

"I felt the fight was going the way I wanted and I was actually having a really good round in the sixth until the last 20 seconds," said the Mancunian.

"Linares caught me with a great shot and it just took a bit of zip out of me and it took time to recover. I know on all scorecards I won the next round but I had to work harder than I thought I needed to - or ideally wanted to at that time.

"Linares got a second win and he moved really, really well late on and he finished the better of the two of us."

Linares has held world titles in three weight divisions

Crolla still firmly believes he will be recognised as the best fighter in the division and has vowed to produce a career-best victory over the Venezuelan.

"I've always wanted to fight the best and Linares is seen as the best lightweight in the world," he said.

"I know what a tough fight it is and last time showed that but as you can see last time, there wasn't much in it.

"Yes the right man won but I know I have to make some improvements - which I have - and I know I can make this result different."