World Championship Boxing - Crolla Vs Barroso

Anthony Crolla will defend his WBA World Lightweight title against Ismael Barroso at Manchester Arena on Saturday 7 May.

Crolla won the belt in stunning style at the vaunted Manchester venue in November, folding Darleys Perez in the fifth round of their rematch for the Colombian’s title, capping a fairy tale comeback from the life-threatening injuries he suffered in December 2014 when confronting burglars at his neighbours home and then his first fight with Perez ending in a controversial draw in July.

Crolla was present at The O2 when Barroso knocked out Kevin Mitchell in December, effectively ending the career of the popular Londoner in their clash for the interim title, an 18th win inside the distance from 19 victories for the unbeaten 33 year old that poses a serious early threat to Crolla’s reign – but ‘Million Dollar’ says there was no way he was going to avoid a clash with the dangerous mandatory challenger.