Anthony Crolla in hospital after confronting burglars

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/16/anthony-crolla-head-injuries-burglars

Version 0 of 1.

Anthony Crolla, the WBO inter-continental lightweight title holder, was taken to hospital after confronting burglars who were raiding a neighbour’s house in Chadderton near Oldham on Tuesday evening .

The 28-year-old is understood to have broken an ankle and suffered a serious head injury after chasing two burglars. Crolla caught one of the intruders, according to the Manchester Evening News, but was then attacked by the other with a brick or a lump of concrete.

Crolla’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, told the MEN: “He’s seen people climbing over a fence from next door and he’s given chase. He’s managed to get hold of one of the two but the other has picked up a brick or a concrete slab and attacked him. He could have been killed.”

Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom promoter, tweeted: “Gutted to confirm that @ant-crolla is in hospital with a head and ankle injury after confronting burglars at/near his property.”

Gutted to confirm that @ant_crolla is in hospital with a head and ankle injury after confronting burglars at/near his property.

Known as ‘Million Dolla Crolla’, the WBO inter-continental lightweight title holder had been due to face the Cuban Richard Abril on 23 January for the WBA world title at the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester, but Gallagher admitted that will no longer take place. “I’ve just spoken to him on the phone and he’s heartbroken,” he said. “He’s all plastered-up and waiting for a CT scan. His title dream is gone. Whether he will ever get another shot at it in the future, I don’t know. His dreams are in tatters.”

Hearn later added: “Anthony is in a stable condition in Oldham hospital. Unfortunately the Jan 23rd fight is off but concerns right now are with Ant and family. You ask anyone in boxing doubt you kind find a nicer kid than Crolla, absolutely gutted for him.”