Manchester’s former world champion boxer Anthony Crolla will lead a team of boxing legends against a rugby league line up spearheaded by former England international and BBC pundit Eorl Crabtree, in a unique sporting challenge incorporated into the Manchester International Athletics meeting, which takes place on August 15th.

Now in its third year, the event sees an England athletics team take on athletes from Scotland, Wales, Iceland and Northern Ireland and Ulster amongst others at the Regional Athletics Arena, just a stone’s throw from Manchester City’s Etihad stadium.

And in addition to the close and exciting competition provided by the international track and field athletes, this year some familiar sporting names will also be testing their athletics prowess as part of the programme.

England Athletics plan to sign a “Time to Change” pledge on the night, a commitment to end mental health stigma, and, to raise awareness of the positive impact of sport on mental health, Crolla and Crabtree will lead celebrity teams who will go head to head over 100m, long jump, shot put and the 4x100m relay.

Local hero Crolla, who memorably held the WBA World Lightweight title in 2016, competed against the Athens Olympics 4x100m team featuring Darren Campbell at last year’s International and returns in 2018 alongside recently crowned Commonwealth super welterweight champion Stacey Copeland.

“The atmosphere at last year’s event was fantastic,” he explained. “So when I was offered the opportunity to come back, I jumped at the chance. Enjoying good mental health is so important and as professional boxers we all know how difficult it can be to maintain it.”

“This is a great way to highlight the benefits of sport on maintaining good mental health and should also demonstrate that boxers are superior athletes to rugby players!”

Crabtree, wo retired from competitive rugby last year following a 16-year professional career, also embraced the opportunity to get involved:

“In Rugby League, our State of Mind charity has carried out some great work in raising awareness of mental health issues in sport and the more work we can do of this nature the better.”

“Of course, I’m also looking forward to returning to some competitive action and enjoying the taste of victory once again!”

Dean Hardman, Head of Business Partnerships and Major Events for England Athletics, said: “Over the past two years the Manchester International has become an established event on the local sporting calendar and we cannot wait for the 2018 edition to come around. That we’re also able to demonstrate England Athletics’ commitment to ending mental health stigma will make the night even more special.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased at http://www.manchesterinternationalathletics.co.uk and cost £5 for adults, while entry is free for under 16s.

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