Lightweight standout Anthony Crolla, from Manchester, England, was badly hurt in an incident involving two men who were allegedly robbing a neighbor’s home on Tuesday. The 28 year old has suffered a serious head wound, as well as a suspected broken ankle, and is currently in a stable condition at a local hospital.

Crolla observed the pair jumping over his fence and quickly gave chase. Only seconds later he caught one of the men, when the other struck him over the skull with a brick. Badly hurt, and with blood pouring from his head, the former British champion made it home and his partner called emergency services.

Crolla, one of the most genuine and affable fighters in British boxing, was to have faced WBA lightweight titleholder Richar Abril on Jan. 23 in Manchester. Understandably that bout has been called off due to the extent of Crolla’s injuries and his immediate future is unclear.

“I’ve just spoken to him on the phone and he’s heart-broken,” said Crolla’s trainer, Joe Gallagher, when interviewed by The Manchester Evening News. “He’s all plastered-up and waiting for a CT scan. His title dream is gone. Whether he will ever get another shot at it in the future, I don’t know. His dreams are in tatters.

“He’s seen people climbing over a fence from next door. He managed to get hold of one of the two but the other has picked up a brick or a concrete slab and attacked him. He could have been killed.”

Crolla has been a professional since 2006 and holds victories over former junior welterweight title holder Gavin Rees and former world title challenger, John Murray.

Our thoughts are with Anthony and his team.

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing