A British boxer on the brink of a world title shot had his hopes dashed when a horrific injury almost ended his career.
Boxing has seen many tales of resilience in the face of poor health, from Vinny Pazienza defeating Roberto Duran after breaking his neck to Craig ‘Gator’ Bodzianowski, who fought with one leg for much of his career, or even The Boston Bonecrusher, who fought whilst partially blind from lightweight up to heavyweight.
In Britain, just ten years ago, there is another instance of this, of a man who fought more than opponents in a ring, but who fought the odds, who defied expectations and did the unthinkable.
Ant Crolla won title after his skull was smashed in horror attack
Ant Crolla won the British lightweight title in 2012 and just three years later was set to fight for the world title.
He was originally scheduled to fight Richar Abril in January 2015, but a horrific incident changed plans entirely.
Crolla suffered a broken ankle and fractured skull after being attacked by burglars with a paving slab. He had confronted the burglars after seeing his neighbour’s house was being robbed, and it was this heroism that almost cost him his life and career.
Crolla’s injuries were severe, and many other fighters would never step in the ring again, but he did, just months later.
He fought again in July 2015 against WBA champion Darleys Perez, but fell short of his world title ambition as the fight was controversially ruled a draw.
In the rematch, however, Crolla left no doubt, stopping Perez in the fifth round to claim the crown.
Ant Crolla saved fighter from himself in recent British dust-up
Since retiring from boxing, Crolla has become a trainer, training his younger brother, William Crolla, as well as Robbie Davies Jr.
Davies Jr. was 24-5 when he was scheduled to face 6-0 Pat McCormack in a British title eliminator.
Davies was dropped twice in the third round and once in the fifth by the Olympic silver medallist, and Crolla soon realised he had to step in to prevent Davies being seriously hurt.
In Davies’ corner, Crolla can be heard saying: “I care too much about you, yeah? You’ve not done much wrong, just come across a very good kid whose just a little bit too sharp for you, yeah? Little bit too big, little bit too sharp, yeah? I’m gonna call it.”
Davies later announced his retirement.