Anthony Crolla has told TheGamblingTimes.com that he is ready to go to war with Jorge Linares, in order to win back his World Lightweight crown.

Linares edged the first meeting between the pair back in September, but the rematch was soon made and now ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla is looking to land  WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine World Lightweight crowns.

Speaking to TheGamblingTimes.com, Crolla exclusively told us: “I have got a lot of respect for the guy, a lot of respect – he is a real nice guy and it is so easy to say something nasty, but we both know that we will chat before and after and shake hands.

“But during that 12-rounds – how ever long it will be – we will go to war, and leave everything on the line.”

We will go to war, and leave everything on the line

Crolla knows that victory will set-up some big fights with the likes of Micky Garcia and Robert Easter in line for  him, and he admits he could very end up fighting Linares for a third time.

“I would not rule out a third fight,” he said.

“A trilogy I would always welcome, great to be involved in names like this – I want to be involved in the big fights.

“I now have this second chance and I need to make sure I can take it, everyone wants to be word champion and I can now get that ring magazine belt and not many people get that chance.”

WBA, WBC Diamond, Ring Magazine World Lightweight Championship@JorgeLinares – 134.4 lbs@ant_crolla – 134.8 lbs#LinaresCrolla2 pic.twitter.com/bvhXkTNL32

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 24, 2017