Crolla vs Burns: Anthony Crolla says two defeats to Jorge Linares have turned him into a better fighter

Anthony Crolla faces Ricky Burns on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Anthony Crolla faces Ricky Burns on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports

Anthony Crolla insists he learned from two defeats to Jorge Linares and will be a "better fighter" in his crucial lightweight clash with Ricky Burns.

The Mancunian suffered back-to-back points defeats at the hands of Linares and is battling to keep alive his world title ambitions when he faces Burns at Manchester Arena this Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Action.

Crolla failed to reclaim the WBA lightweight belt in a rematch with Linares in March, but insists he benefited from sharing 12 rounds with the classy Venezuelan, who recently defeated Luke Campbell in California.

"I believe definitely I'm a better fighter through them fights and on Saturday night I know I've got to be at my very best," Crolla told Sky Sports News.

"I'm fighting a three-weight world champion, Ricky Burns, a fantastic fighter and I think our styles cannot help but gel to be a fantastic fight. I'm really excited for it. I think the fans will be the winner."

Crolla hopes to recapture the form that saw him defend the WBA title with an impressive win over Ismael Barroso Crolla hopes to recapture the form that saw him defend the WBA title with an impressive win over Ismael Barroso

The 30-year-old knows the importance of his battle against Burns, with the winner propelled back into world title contention, while the loser will be forced to rebuild their career.

"That's what neither of us want to do," said Crolla. "Neither one of us want to be dropping down a level, working our way back up, but that's probably what the loser will have to do.

There's an awful lot at stake. The winner almost guaranteed another world title shot. Anthony Crolla

"There's an awful lot at stake. The winner almost guaranteed another world title shot.

"It's a proper fight, with two lads, me and Ricky we don't talk nonsense, we won't be throwing punches or tables at press conferences, but we have both prepared to dig so deep, and that's what I think it will come down to Saturday night as well."

Tale of the Tape: Anthony Crolla vs Ricky Burns

Watch Anthony Crolla against Ricky Burns, Sam Eggington faces Mohamed Mimoune, Robbie Barrett battles Lewis Ritson and Conor Benn against Nathan Clarke from 7pm on Sky Sports Action.