Alex Robertson‏: Halfway stage. Linares is pushing for the win here. A couple of good shots from Crolla but starting to see a potential TKO.

Jorge Linares may be on top, but Anthony Crolla is showing all the determination and desire of a man desperate to get back into this one on home soil.

After all, he looked to have the better of their first meeting before Linares came good. 

Crolla throws a left, but every time he finds a Linares block and it's often followed by a swift response from the Venezuelan.

Kassim Patel‏: Hope all young boxers are watching the skill of Linares and desire of Crolla.

Mike Costello
Radio 5 live boxing correspondent - ringside at Manchester Arena

Crolla has not had anything like the success that he had in the first six rounds of their first contest.

Anthony Crolla drops forward again but he feels the force of a Jorge Linares uppercut. That caught him in the chin, but his right eye looks cut as well.

There's blood on the face of Crolla, but Linares looks comfortable. Crolla throws a left-right combo but again Linares bounces away. It's his fight to lose now.

This is looking like a Jorge Linares masterclass at the minute. 

Anthony Crolla is trying his best to get back into it, but every time the Brit thinks he's seen an opportunity Linares swiftly ducks and counters with frightening speed.

It's going to take something special from Crolla.

Image source, PA

Hughie Fury
Heavyweight world title contender on BBC Radio 5 live

Linares is looking world class in there and absolutely punishing Crolla, who is getting hurt by the shots. It is easy work for Linares.

A moment's rest as Jorge Linares and Anthony Crolla embrace, before they're separated again.

Noise rises around Manchester Arena as Crolla goes forward, but a body shot from Linares makes its way through and it takes a deep breath from the home favourite to ride that one.

Sho Rahman: Yes Linares is quick but Crolla is fighting in fear at the moment. Giving Linares nothing to worry about.

These rounds are flying by almost as quickly as the fighters in the ring.

It's Jorge Linares who looks to land a couple of bigger blows early in the fifth, but Anthony Crolla sees them coming.

Crolla throws a jab, but a Linares left-hander comes back at him through a gap.

Image source, PA

Steve Bunce
Boxing pundit on BBC Radio 5 live

It was his best round, but Crolla still lost it. Linares is measuring Anthony Crolla with that right hand coming over and is just catching him. I don't like the look of that. Crolla is four down.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

Image source, .

Bellew from his seat ringside: "start low, finish high Ant. He'll tire before you. Keep the work rate."

The crowd began to up their game as Crolla puts a strong fourth together.

Not only is Jorge Linares quick with the gloves, but he's got the fleet of foot and flex of hip to slip under a swinging Anthony Crolla right-hander.

The Manchester man is trying to up the pressure, perhaps he feels the first few rounds didn't go his way, but very little is landing on the Venezuelan.

Jorge Linares looks dangerous with every lightening-fast flick of his jet black punching gloves.

But Anthony Crolla bides his time and then winds up a big left hand towards the gut of the Venezuelan that's well blocked.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Bunce
Boxing pundit on BBC Radio 5 live

A clear round for Linares. He is relaxing, trying shots and landing with what he wants to do. The crowd can help you in a slug-fest, that cannot alter a boxing lesson and that is what is happening.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 live commentary by pressing the play button at the top of the page.

Steve Bland‏: How fast is Linares? Blink and you miss that jab.

Alex Robertson: Linares looking stronger of the two at the moment. Not gonna be easy for either at this pace.

Anthony Crolla jabs with the left, almost encouraged by a knowing nod from Jorge Linares, who then ducks a combo from the Mancunian.

Crolla tries to switch things up and swings a left-handed uppercut. Linares isn't fazed. Far from it. 

Jorge Linares just doesn't stop moving, even when he looks like he's standing still those arms are twitching, looking for a moment to pounce

Anthony Crolla backs him up, but then the referee steps in to separate them. 

Linares slips one through Crolla's gloves and I think that landed.

Image source, Getty Images

Hughie Fury
Heavyweight world title contender on BBC Radio 5 live

Crolla needs to feint the shots more as Linares is picking them and it is a world-class performance so far from Linares.

Alex Robertson:  Bar is like a betting store, people shouting what round It's gonna finish on. Going for a Round 9'er myself.