Anthony Crolla has ended a nightmare 12 months with a fairytale ending after stopping Darleys Perez to become WBA lightweight champion.
In a bout fought at close quarters, Crolla landed a devastating body punch in the fifth round that left Perez on his knees and making little attempt to make the count.
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At the end of 2014, Crolla suffered a fractured skull and broken ankle after being attacked by two burglars, leaving his career in severe jeopardy, but when he did eventually return eight months later, he would be denied victory against Perez in a controversial draw.
However, the 29-year-old would finally get his moment in front of his Manchester fans on Saturday night in an impressive showing against the Colombian, who had lost just once in 34 matches in the professional ranks.
The opening two rounds were shared, but Crolla upped his work-rate in rounds three and four, putting together some well-worked combinations and attacking the body with regular authority.
Perez remained a threat with big right hands, but in the fifth, Crolla landed the perfect body shot to drop Perez to his knees, before referee Terry O'Connor called off the contest after a count of nine with Perez still on the canvas.
Crolla's first defence will be against either Kevin Mitchell or Ismael Barroso, who compete for the WBA interim belt in London on December 12.
Darren Plant
