MANCHESTER: Venezuela’s Jorge Linares retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title on Saturday on a unanimous points decision against big-hearted Anthony Crolla of Britain. Linares had Crolla on the canvas in the seventh round but the British fighter showed great determination and grit to last the 12-round distance. Linares was declared the winner 118-109 on all three of the judge’s scorecards. The Venezuelan had also beaten 30-year-old Crolla in September and now has a record of 42 wins against just three losses. “Jorge Linares is a great fighter and a great champion,” Crolla said of an opponent who has not lost for five years. “He’s proved that again tonight. He caught me with a great shot. Before that, I was trying to close the distance and I thought that I was going to get to him but he moved very well. I can say I got beat off the better man. No excuses.” While hailing his opponent, Linares said “I want to tell everyone in Manchester, Anthony Crolla has some big b***s. He had a lot of heart and that’s why he made it to the 12th round with me,” said the Venezuelan.