Trainer Joe Gallagher may have told Anthony Crolla to rest up and go easy on the media duties before tonight's bout, but the home town favourite still found a bit of time to jump on Twitter and send his followers this message earlier...

Steve Bunce
Boxing pundit on BBC Radio 5 live

I would not be surprised if it was similar to the first fight. I think the outcome will be the same, Crolla could start well up to the first eight rounds.

In the first fight between them, Crolla did nothing wrong, but in round nine Linares was coming out as if it was round one. He came out fresh and Crolla was bemused.

Listen to live commentary by pressing the play button at the top of this page.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

Image source, .

Jamie Moore, Matt Macklin, Carl Froch, Johnny Nelson, Hughie Fury, Kell Brook, Liam Smith, Stephen Smith. There are hatful of fighters ringside as this place becomes a sea of heads.

As Anthony Crolla's face lights up a big screen, the masses cheer their man. He's here and they love it. 

Remember, Crolla has been locked up in a hotel all week to aid concentration. He's no longer grounded and boy will he love being out. The warmth for him here is tangible. Interestingly, in the programme tonight Jorge Linares says he feels at "home" in the UK. 

He has two wins from two on these shores. Has he had a Yorkshire Pudding though and does he own a Bulldog? Thought not. You're the away fighter Jorge and that's that!       

Right then, it's nearly time.

The Jorge Linares v Anthony Crolla show is coming right up.

Brian Rose's nose is bloodied and swollen as this middleweight clash comes to a close.

Jack Arnfield has put in some serious work in the latter rounds, but did Rose land enough throughout to take it?

It goes to the judges, they're taking their time over this one...

But it's Arnfield's, he takes it 115-113, 115-113, 116-112.

Image source, Getty Images

Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight contender Audley Harrison wishes Crolla luck for tonight. 

He himself had his own big night in Manchester in 2010, losing a very one sided fight to David Haye in three rounds. 

Image source, Reuters

But just how much do these lean, mean fighting machines weigh, I hear you ask...

Well, Ant Crolla tipped the scales at 9st 8lbs 8oz, slightly heavier than Jorge Linares at 9st 8lbs 4oz.

It may be a lightweight battle, but they certainly know how to pack a fearsome punch.

Image source, PA

So who is going to win tonight's main event? Will it be a glorious victory for Anthony Crolla against Venezuelan Jorge Linares?

Let us know what you think and tell us what is going to be the difference between the two men.

You know the drill, tweet us on #bbcboxing. The floor is yours.

Grunts and groans as we see Jorge Linares warming up on the pads in his dressing room.

He's rapid. But it's one thing on the pads, another in the ring...

OK, he's rapid there too.

Talking of our man Steve Bunce, he's been let loose on the BBC Sport Instagram feed...

BBC Radio 5 live

There will be live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live from 22:15 - that's right about now...

Unbeaten heavyweight Hughie Fury, who will be fighting Joseph Parker for the WBO world heavyweight title in May, joins Mike Costello and Steve Bunce on commentary.

Anthony Crolla has been speaking in his dressing room, and he says it'll be "revenge" tonight against Jorge Linares.

"I've gone away, trained hard, trained smart, made improvements and I'm bringing them into the ring tonight," he told Sky Sports.

"I believe I will get my belts back tonight. This would be the pinnacle. The belts mean everything, but the crowd behind me means even more."

We've reached round eight in what I'm going to dub the 'Battle of Blackpool', and it's inevitably pretty tight at the minute between two former sparring partners.

Brian Rose looked to have the best of it early on, but Jack Arnfield has grown into this one and there are a few marks appearing on the face of Rose. 

It's Arnfield looking the fresher and the more threatening in this middleweight bout.

Image source, AFP

Monday AM:  Punching session  PM:  Swimming intervals

Tuesday AM:  Pads, followed by strength and conditioning  PM:  Yoga

Wednesday AM:  Punching session  PM:  Swimming intervals

Thursday AM:  Pads, followed by strength and conditioning  PM:  Yoga

Friday AM:  Sparring, followed by weights  PM:  Chiropractor and massage

Saturday AM:  Yoga  Sunday:  Rest

Ever wondered what a week in the life of a professional boxer looks like? Well, wonder no more...

*Spoiler: it's a little more hectic than a week in the life of Craig David. Although Ant Crolla will hope to be chilling with a world title belt on Sunday.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter at Manchester Arena

Image source, .

Anthony Crolla is a man who loves his city, so the hashtag #wearemanchester above doorways at this arena will go down well. 

Outside there are ticket touts mumbling "buy or sell, buy or sell", as well as sniffer dogs doing their bit too. This arena is more grit than bling and that's why it's played host to some raucous nights of boxing. Anyone for another Hatton-Tszyu tear up?

Don't just take it from me, here's Anthony Crolla telling you how's he going to approach this one...

Image source, .

Crolla, who will contest the seventh rematch of his career, has been forced by trainer Joe Gallagher to reduce media commitments and distractions in the weeks leading up to the fight.

Gallagher believes his charge is in a better place "mentally" and feels the winner of the contest will "strike the jackpot" by potentially setting up a meeting with WBC champion Mikey Garcia in Las Vegas.

"Joe has given me more one on one time than ever before," said Crolla. "I always have faith in what he tells me to do and this time it's certainly been our best camp together.

"We've had more rounds of sparring and we've been smart as well, maybe more rest will have me fresher this time."

So you've given it your all and just come unstuck in the final few rounds, what do you do differently when approaching a rematch?

Anthony Crolla says he's gone about preparing for tonight's bout by having the "best ever training camp".

Can't argue with that.

Rory Clifford: No chance for Crolla. Big heart and guts but Linares oozes class and will pick his punches for the whole 12 rounds.

Rory's had his say, now let us know what you think...