The Manchester man is concerned for the ‘Gypsy King’ ahead of Saturday’s huge fight
Former WBA lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla is backing his fellow Brit Tyson Fury when he takes on Deontay Wilder on Saturday night.
The WBC heavyweight world title will be at stake when the pair meet at the Staples Center in LA, and ‘Million Dollar’ is seriously looking forward to observing how the contest will play out.
“It’s a fight I can’t wait for,” Crolla told talkSPORT’s Dom McGuinness. “I’m obviously behind our boy Tyson Fury, but it’s a tough night.
“Listen we’ve got to be honest here and I’ll be deadly honest. I’m backing Tyson, but I am worried.
“I’d much rather this fight be happening in the summer, I thought Wilder was so impressive last time out against Luis Ortiz.
“I rate Ortiz very highly. He came through some sticky patches there, showed a good chin and came back to win in style.”
Elaborating on his concerns, the Mancunian explained just why Wilder – who has won 39 of his 40 bouts by KO – is so feared.
While Anthony Joshua’s presence ensures there is plenty of room for debate as to who is the world’s premier heavyweight today, Crolla believes there can be no discussion as to which of the glamour division’s elite presents the most danger to his opposition.
“You can argue who the best heavyweight is in the world, but I think the most dangerous heavyweight is pretty clear to see in my opinion – it’s Deontay Wilder,” he continued.
“So it’s a tough one with Tyson. I know he’s done unbelievable, he’s lost ten stone now… in the space of a year. For me that’s very quick.
“There’s a bit of muscle come off with that and I’d just like him to have a little bit longer and that’s my worry.”