Saturday 7 October 2017 18:36, UK
Anthony Crolla and Ricky Burns put their careers on the line in a British lightweight battle and The Panel discuss what the future holds for the loser.
The former world champions have agreed to a high-stakes clash this Saturday at Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports, as the winner keeps alive his hopes of another major title fight, while the defeated man could be forced to consider his future in the sport.
We asked our panel of experts to give their verdict on what could lie ahead for this weekend's beaten fighter...
I would never suggest it, and it's not my place to say it, but there's really nowhere to go. Both Crolla and Burns are meeting their domestic rival now, which you usually do much earlier on.
It's a bit like me and Nathan Cleverly, in the second one, but he span it a bit, saying that wasn't his weight. Lightweight is really Burns' weight and he wouldn't complain anyway, so the bottom line is, the loser has nothing left to do, or anywhere to go.
You have to consider your options when you lose. Once you've reached that top level, and then you're not competing at that level, it may be time to go. It sounds harsh, but that's just how it is.
It's Retirement or do you want to be a gatekeeper fighting up-and-coming fighters before they hit world level?
The loser retires. Where do they go domestically, when they've been to the heights they've been and then they box at domestic level? It's very hard to motivate yourself to do that.
They have to think about calling it a day. How long do you keep going on for?
I, myself struggled, but these two live the sport. How much more do they have left in them?
It's hard because Ricky still gives the younger fighters in the gym a pasting - and I am one of them! When you've got an engine and a heart that is driven by the sport, how can you say no to it?
When you've got an engine and a heart that is driven by the sport, how can you say no to it?
You can say the same about my old man, or someone like Roy Jones Jr. Once that fire is in you, it's very hard to stop it. We will see after this is over, but who knows?
They're both getting one last big payday, and as long as they put in a good performance and are happy with it, no one will be able to criticise them for knocking it on the head.
Whoever loses is definitely on the way down. I know personally, you don't want to start getting beat by the guys you were taking care of four or five years ago. I knew my Crolla fight would be my last one if I lost.
They're both coming back from defeat and it's difficult at this stage in their careers when they've already achieved most of their dreams and goals to keep rebuilding and going again.
Whoever loses this, you'd probably say that it is the end of the road, maybe less so for Crolla, but a loss would be a bitter pill to swallow and it would be very hard to come back from. This is all or nothing.
Whoever loses this, you'd probably say that it is the end of the road, maybe less so for Crolla, but a loss would be a bitter pill to swallow and it would be very hard to come back from. This is all or nothing.
The loser has to have a good think and talk with their team and families to see where they go. I've been in that position where you can't afford to get beat, because they're not stepping stones, they are top fighters and people won't take a chance on them.
If Ricky Burns gets beat because he's done the weight wrong, then maybe he might move back up for a massive fight against Josh Taylor in Scotland.
They've both had hard careers, they've both had a lot of rounds in their careers, because they aren't massive punchers. I will never say it's time for anyone to hang the gloves up, but I would question their desire.
Starting again, to get back up, will be hard and it's quite possible the loser will call it a day. It's anything but a foregone conclusion, though. I like them both so well, I don't want to see either of them lose, but I would rather see the loser walk away.
Watch Anthony Crolla against Ricky Burns, Sam Eggington face Mohamed Mimoune, Robbie Barrett battle Lewis Ritson and Conor Benn against Nathan Clarke from 7pm on Sky Sports Action.
