Anthony Crolla sets his sights on a world title ‘derby’ with Terry Flanagan at Old Trafford

Crolla won the WBA lightweight title on Saturday night with stunning knock out of Darleys Perez

Anthony Crolla’s fifth-round body shot proved the undoing of Darleys Perez (Getty Images)

Anthony Crolla is eyeing a world title fight against fellow Mancunian Terry Flanagan at Old Trafford after knocking out Darleys Perez in Manchester on Saturday to become WBA lightweight champion.

Crolla, 29, was denied a world belt in July when his first clash with Perez was declared a draw, a decision that meant there was no emotional victory for a man who sustained serious injuries while trying to detain a burglar in December last year.

At the Manchester Arena on Saturday a body shot proved the undoing of Colombian Perez with 30 seconds of the fifth round left and increased the number of British world champions to 10.

Crolla, a Manchester United fan, said: “I’ve got to thank the team around me. I’m so thankful to have this shot and take it. I want more nights like this. I’ve been coming here since I was 10 watching Prince Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton. There’s nowhere else I’d rather do it.”

Asked about a potential fight next year with WBO lightweight champion Flanagan, Crolla added: “I wouldn’t have a problem with it and I’m sure he wouldn’t. We’ve got a lot of respect for each other. It would be a great night for Manchester.”

His trainer, Joe Gallagher, said: “He’s had his ups and downs and we had to grab the opportunity with both hands. We needed the nasty Anthony Crolla and we saw it tonight. Hopefully we might see him fight at Old Trafford.”

It was heartbreak again for Martin Murray as the St Helens 33-year-old’s fourth world title attempt ended in defeat against Arthur Abraham in Germany. The defending champion won a split points decision to retain his WBO super-middleweight belt on home territory in Hannover.

Saul Alvarez got the benefit of a unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBC middleweight title against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

The Puerto Rican Cotto had given up the WBC crown he won by beating Sergio Martinez last year due to a row over sanctioning fees, which meant the title was on the line for Alvarez only.