Britain?s Anthony Crolla has captured the WBA lightweight world title with a stunning one punch knockout of Darleys Perez.
Crolla nailed Perez with a cracking body shot that Sky Sports in Britain said ?left Perez crumpled in a heap, unable to make the count and handing over the belt he retained via a split draw in the same arena back in July following a controversial decision in their first meeting.?
While the judges decision in their first fight was controversial, Sky Sports reported ?the rematch was over in explosive, emotional and, given the cautious start, almost unexpected fashion.?
Crolla, who promised he would be even better second time around, set up the decisive shot with a classic combination and as Perez kept his defence high, a quick dip down and a crunching left to the body proved too much for the Colombian.
Perez looked a beaten man before the count hit 10 and as soon as the referee waved the fight off, Crolla leaped in celebration with his trainer Joe Gallagher, his team and what seemed like the whole of Manchester.
In a post fight interview with Sky Sports, Crolla said ?I've dreamt this dream since I was 10 years of age. I didn't know it would be this good, honestly. It's even better than I dreamt. I believe I am getting stronger all the time, but I thought it was going to be a head shot. I was really confident that I was going to get a head shot but I'll take that body shot any day of the week."
Sky Sports reported that both fighters exchanged crisp, clean jabs at will with Crolla the busier, Perez though picking him off with a lovely uppercut in the second. The third saw both men miss with wild shots but it was a rarity as many of the exchanges were impressive.
The third saw Perez increase his pace but the fourth saw Crolla's combinations come into play and a couple of short uppercuts suggested he was in better shape than last time.
He proved the point around 2mins 20secs of that fifth - pressing the champion back onto the ropes, unlocking the door with work upstairs and then sending a crashing left home to leave the champion in pain and Britain with another new world champion.
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