Matchroom Sport has announced that WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla will face Jorge Linares in Manchester on September 24.
Since his impressive stoppage of Ismael Barroso on May 7, Crolla has been linked with a number of potential opponents - including WBO title holder Terry Flanagan - but it has now been revealed that the 29-year-old will go up against three-weight world champion Linares.
The Venezuelan is known to British fans for his victory over Kevin Mitchell last year, but injury has restricted the 30-year-old to just one WBC title defence in 13 months.
He was downgraded to 'champion in recess' while he was on the sidelines but he will now defend the WBC diamond title - the governing body's 'super' belt - with the winner of Crolla and Linares being committed to face WBC champion Dejan Zlaticanin in their next bout.
Crolla has won 31 of his 38 outings as a professional while Linares has suffered just three defeats in 43 fights.
Darren Plant
