News broke today that the WBA lightweight champion, Anthony Crolla, will make the first defence of his title at the Manchester Arena on May 7th.
His opponent, in what looks to be a very difficult defence, is the Venezuelan fighter Ismael Barroso.
Fight fans will recall that it was Barroso who beat Kevin Mitchell back in December, stopping the West Ham fighter in five rounds
Crolla won his belt, cheered on by a nation that had followed his amazing recovery from serious injuries, against Darleys Perez in November 2015.
Talking about taking the fight, Crolla had this to say to the media,
‘I am under no illusion that this is a tough task but there was no way I was not going to take the fight.
‘People said I was going to duck him – if I don’t fight him I lose my belt, simple. Of course I am going to fight him, I’ve worked too hard to become world champion to give it away.’
It has all the hallmarks to be a decent fight, but can Crolla keep his crown?
That remains to be seen.
Crolla to defend Crown against Barrosa
