WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla will take on former WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares at the Manchester Arena on September 24. This will be Crolla’s second title defense. Linares, who is now the WBC champion in recess, will be putting on the line a WBC Diamond belt, an honorary championship bestowed by the WBC that is not subject to defense.

The WBC is willing to allow the bout to happen, but is forcing the winner of this bout to face Dejan Zlaticanin, who just won Linares’ vacated title against Franklin Mamani.