Anthony Crolla reflects on the United vs City super fight that never was

EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Crolla had his fair share of epic nights in his astonishing career, but the one fight he missed out on was a showdown with fellow Mancunian, Terry Flanagan.

The pair of combat sports icons looked destined to meet in one of the biggest collisions in British boxing history. Alas, politics got in the way.

Anthony Crolla vs Terry Flanagan would’ve been an epic spectacle

Back in 2016, Anthony Crolla and Terry Flanagan appeared on the cusp of giving their city a night they’d never forget.

In one corner, you’d have had, ‘Million Dollar,’ a legend, who battled back from adversity to win the WBA lightweight world title, while simultaneously building a huge fan base, who regularly turned the Manchester Arena into a cacophony of noise whenever the popular boxer graced the ring.

In the other would have stood ‘Turbo’, a WBO King, with a remarkable engine, sublime boxing IQ, and, at the time, the longest unbeaten run in British boxing.

And to make things even tastier, Crolla is a Manchester United fan, and Flanagan is a Manchester City supporter, giving the clash an extra element of spice.

Anthony Crolla explains why Terry Flanagan and he never crossed paths

Sadly, the bout never came to fruition, with the fighters heading in different directions, with each headlining major cards in the city. On a night, boxing enthusiasts will never forget, Crolla overcame all odds to beat Ismael Barroso, while his rival dismantled Diego Magdaleno with an uppercut heard around the world.

With their careers having been and gone, the pair are on great terms, with zero animosity between them. However, they both would’ve loved the opportunity to have set foot in the ring together for a blockbuster clash.

Crolla believes had their promoters developed the relationship they share today, the fans may very well have gotten the match-up they so desperately craved.

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, via Free Bets, the 38-year-old revealed whether he wishes the battle would’ve taken place, saying: “I think we both do. I know he would have had the fight, and I would have had the fight.

“It’s a shame, because if Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren worked together then how they work together now, I have no doubt me and Terry would have boxed in front of a packed crowd in Manchester.

“I have no regrets. There was a time when we were offered the fight, but politics probably stopped it happening. And then, there was a time that Terry was offered the fight, but they went a different route, probably due to politics. If there was one thing I wish would’ve happened, me and Terry would have gotten it on. My gym is next door to where he brings his son to football, so I see him quite a bit. I’m pally with Terry.”

Anthony Crolla reveals his most memorable Manchester United away day

With his stint in the ring now behind him, in addition to training the fighters of the future, Crolla has lots of time to devote to his other love — football.

During his career, Crolla frequently expressed how much he adored Manchester United, following them across Europe, with an away day in Ukraine going down as his craziest trip of all time.

He chuckled: “I’ve been lucky, where I’ve been all over. In fact, I’m trying to get it sorted to go to Romania in January, but it just depends on how it falls with the fighters who are training. I wanna get over for a few nights; that would be brilliant.

“I like the wacky ones. My favourite one was over in Odessa. We played in Ukraine a few years ago. It’s mad, I forget the team we played because there was a disturbance at the time, nothing like what it ended up being. It was near Kiev, but you couldn’t go into Kiev, so, we went to Odessa. Honestly, it was like -17, but what a place. It made Benidorm look expensive. So, as you can imagine, there was a lot of alcohol that got drunk. What a trip! There are only bits I can remember of the match. I know we won that night, but I remember it being absolutely baltic.”

Featured Image Credit: Anthony Crolla / Terry Flanagan