Chadderton-based boxer Anthony Crolla in conversation with Simon Smedley of the Oldham Evening Chronicle

It's been a rotten Christmas for Chadderton-based boxing champion Anthony Crolla, but now he is fighting back. The have-a-go hero was seriously injured after confronting intruders at a neighbour's house just days before Christmas. Now, though, he is on the long road to recovery and has spoken exclusively to Chronicle sport reporter Simon Smedley about the 'unbelievable' amount of support he has received since the incident and his plans to get back into the ring.