By Edward Chaykovsky

Manchester icon Ricky Hatton is predicting a very even match when rivals Anthony Crolla (27-4-1, 10KOs) and John Murray (33-2, 20KOs) clash on April 19th at the Manchester Arena. Crolla has gone 4-0-1 since losing back to back fights in 2012, against Derry Mathews and Gary Sykes. Murray had a long stretch on inactivity, returning in 2013 after nearly two years away following a knockout loss to Brandon Rios. He's won two in a row since the return. 

"The fight coming up that has got me buzzing is the match-up between two Mancs – John Murray and Anthony Crolla at the Manchester Arena next month. We’ve been waiting for these two to get in the ring together and I am predicting a real tear-up on our own doorstep. And at this stage, this is one Manchester derby too close to call," Hatton stated in the Manchester Evening News.

"I don’t want to go out on a limb just yet to predict a winner. You can make a case for both fighters. It is a genuine 50-50 fight, which is why it will generate so much interest locally. There’s always something special in these kind of domestic scraps and this has all the makings of being one of the best. It is going to split the city."