Anthony Crolla Must Face Ismael Barroso By April 12, Says WBA

By Steve Kim

Hard-hitting Ismael Barroso (19-0-2, 18KOs) captured the WBA interim lightweight title on December 12th in London, England by stopping Kevin Mitchell in five rounds. The 'regular' version of that belt is held by Anthony Crolla (30-4-3, 12KOs), who won the title by stopping Darlys Perez in five rounds on November 21st.

The WBA, which has promised to eliminate the number of belt-holders in 2016, sent a letter to both Greg Cohen Promotions and Matchroom Boxing a few days ago that Crolla must face Barroso by April 12th, 2016. The two parties have 30 days from January 21st to come to an agreement or the fight will then go to a purse bid.

Barroso has stopped his last ten opponents and there was some thought overseas that Crolla would go in a another direction, but the champion maintains that he is not going to turn his back on the mandatory defense and intends to fight Barroso if that's the fight placed in front of him.

Crolla has been 2-0-2 in his last four bouts and undefeated since 2012. There have been three draws in that period, but overall he's beaten John Murray, Gavin Rees, Stephen Foster, Kieran Farrell and Perez.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.