Anthony Crolla to challenge Vasyl Lomachenko for WBA lightweight title in April

Anthony Crolla will challenge for word title gold again when he takes one of boxing’s pound-for-pound best in Vasyl Lomachenko.

Crolla will challenge for the Ukrainian’s WBA lightweight championship in Los Angeles on April 12, Eddie Hearn has confirmed.

Manchester-born Crolla is a former WBA champion, winning the belt in November 2015 with a fifth round knockout of Darleys Perez just a year after his career was left in jeopardy when he suffered a fractured skull after confronting two burglars in his home.

He lost his title to Jorge Linares in September 2016 and a subsequent rematch six months later.

The 32-year-old has since racked up wins against Ricky Burns, Edson Ramirez and Daud Yordan.

Lomachenko, a double Olympic gold medallist who won his first world title in just his third professional fight, had been set to take on newly crowned IBF champion Richard Commey in a unification bout.

Commey however will require surgery on a knuckle injury that is expected to keep him out until the summer.