Vasyl Lomachenko vs Anthony Crolla: 'Million Dollar' explains how he can beat pound-for-pound king on April 12

Anthony Crolla has warned Vasyl Lomachenko that he is not going to the Staples Centre on April 12th to simply take part – and fully intends on taking his collection of lightweight belts home to the United Kingdom with him.

Crolla faces simply the biggest take of his career next month when he fights Lomachenko, considered the pound-for-pound greatest currently in the sport by most and if the 32-year-old is capable of pulling off the ultimate shock, will be leaving Los Angeles with the Ukrainian’s WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring titles.

The Brit is a former WBA world champion and knows what it’s like to contend on the world stage but having now suffered no fewer than six career losses – two to Loma’s old foe Jorge Linares, looks to have one final go at boxing’s ultimate prizes having worked his way into a mandatory position.

Speaking at the press conference for Liam Smith’s return against Sam Eggington, Crolla revealed his mindset going into the fight.

“I’m fighting one of the best fighters on the planet – in many people’s eyes the best fighter on the planet.

“I’ve had a full 12-week camp, we knew this fight could happen and I’m in the best shape of my life. On the night I have to go out there and carry out the plan that’s set against a great fighter but I cannot wait for it.

“I’m not over there for the experience, I’m going to shock the world. I believe I can do it. I know how tough it’s going to be but I believe I can do it.

“Camp’s been brutal at times but that’s the way it should be, I’m looking forward to flying out there.”

With Lomachenko a three-weight world champion after just 12 short fights into his career, the task at hand appears to be a large one for Crolla, but one that doesn’t faze him.

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“His last few fights, he’s been hit more than what he has throughout his career. I’ve got to take something from those last two performances, what both Linares and [Jose] Pedraza did, but at the same time I’m a very different fighter to them.

“I think what I’ve got to do to beat Lomachenko is not let him dictate the pace, which he does for so long, and not get frustrated which he does [to fighters]. I’ve got to fight my own fight and not the fight that Lomachenko wants me to fight, which he’s so good at making his opponents do.

“What he does is tire fighters out. You’ve seen how [Oleksandr] Usyk did it with Tony Bellew,” he added. “You’re constantly thinking and thinking makes you tired.

“Physically I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in and that’s the way it should be. I’ve had good notice to fight one of the best fighters on the planet. But it’s going to come down to more than just being a fit lad.”

When posed with the question of if Crolla would simply be too much in awe of who he was coming up against, the answer was convincing.

“I don’t want to be a fanboy, it is a great thing to share a ring with a future hall-of-famer but that’s not how I’m thinking,” Crolla admitted.

“I won’t be found wanting in that area. I’ve prepared the best I can, I have every bit of motivation I need.

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“To become one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, that’s huge, huge motivation for me. So many fighters would love this chance, I’ve earned this chance. I’ll give it absolutely everything to go over there and rip those belts off him.”