How I did it: Anthony Crolla, professional lightweight boxer
Anthony Crolla, 28, on the punch to the nose that started it all and the long road to a world title shot.
I’ll never forget that first punch to the nose. I was 11, sparring against an older, bigger kid who wasn’t holding anything back. He jabbed me straight on the nostrils, and you know what? I loved it.
Boxing was my destiny. My dad, a fighter himself, had been dragging me along to his gym from the age of seven. Turns out I was a natural.
When I won my first junior trophy, I sat and stared at it for hours. Regardless of how much I’ve achieved, it still looks like the title belt to me.
They call me Million Dollar Crolla. Mostly because it rhymes, but also because of the Clint Eastwood film. Nothing to do with money, unfortunately.
Never give yourself an inch. I train ridiculously hard so I can walk into the ring knowing I’ve done all I can. No regrets – you owe that to yourself.
Strong men attract strong women. I’ve learnt so much from the women in my life, and I’m very thankful for that.
Family is everything. Sometimes, that’s what makes this job so hard. I’ve taken a lot of blows, but nothing hurts more than not seeing my little boy.
Ultimately, success is about sacrifice. I’ve never considered packing it in – even after a burglar left me with severe head injuries a month before my title fight. My neighbour’s alarm was going off, so I went to check it out. I caught two guys in his house, and chased them down the street. I caught one of them, then felt a concrete slab crash against the back of my head.
He fractured my skull and broke my ankle. I was stumbling home, my head cut wide open, and all I could think about was rearranging my schedule. I couldn’t fathom not fighting for the title. I’d come too close.
I believe in doing the right thing. I think we should all try to look after one another. It’s nothing to do with bravery.
The sporting world rushed to my support. Young amateurs and big names. Even old ladies would stop me on the street to wish me well. I may have missed out on that fight, but I grew as a man.
When I finally got the title shot, it was in front of my home crowd. I used to save up to watch boxing at the Manchester Arena and then there I was, walking to the ring, chants shooting through my body like electricity. No buzz from drinking or drugs could ever match that.
You’re defined by how you react to disappointment. I was shocked when they declared my fight against Darleys Perez a draw. The whole arena thought I’d won. But I was blessed to fight in front of a home crowd.
They’ve granted me a rematch, and a second chance to win the title. It’s been a hard road, but that’ll just make the win all the sweeter.
I just want to be known as an honest, hardworking fighter. When it all ends, I want people to remember how much I wanted to win. That’s what really matters.
Anthony Crolla will fight in the rematch with Darleys Perez on 21 November
From the December 2015 - January 2016 issue of FHM India.
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