World title hopeful Anthony Crolla vowed to make a comeback next year after a brutal attack left his career in the balance.

The Mancunian was left with a fractured skull and broken ankle after pursuing two men he saw in his garden after hearing his neighbour’s burglar alarm going off last week.

His long-awaited world title shot against Richard Abril on January 23 was scrapped and his trainer Joe Gallagher admitted he was unsure whether the likeable fighter would even be able to box again.

But Crolla took to Twitter on Sunday night to thank people for their support and he promised to “be back stronger than ever in 2015.”

In a series of Tweets, he said: “I can’t thank everyone on here enough for all the msgs of support. 

“Honestly took back by them all they’ve meant the absolute world to me and my family.

“I’m devastated over what happened and having to pull out of my fight but I’ve got a lot to be thankful for as I’m a very lucky man.

“It’ll be a tough road back but I promise that I will be back stronger than ever in 2015. Thanks so much again.”