Anthony Crolla-Ismael Barroso Showdown Looms For April

By Steve Kim

Recently the WBA ordered negotiations to take place between the camps of Anthony Crolla (30-4-3, 12KOs), who holds their lightweight belt, and Ismael Barroso (19-0-2, 18KOs), who has an interim version of that title.

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, who promote Crolla are looking at April to make the fight.

According to Barroso's promoter, Greg Cohen - "Eddie Hearn and I have had on-going conversations, it looks like it's going to be an April date. We just need to drill down final details. April 16th is one of the dates Eddie and I have discussed, nothing is set in stone but we're going to make the fight, we're very confident.

"Anthony Crolla wants the fight, Barroso wants the fight and this is going to happen."

Back on December 12th in London, the hard-hitting left-handed Venezuelan stopped Kevin Mitchell in five rounds to win this interim title. Now he finds himself in a position to go back to Britian, which is just fine with Cohen.

"Ismael Barosso, in my opinion is the best lightweight in the world and the only thing that will keep me from going to one of his fights is my kids getting married or something like that. Other than that, I'm there," says Cohen, with a chuckle.

Last time out for Crolla was November 21, when he knocked out Darleys Perez in the fifth round to capture the WBA title. It was a rematch of their controversial majority draw which took place last July. An immediate rematch was ordered by sanctioning body as most ringside observers felt Crolla did enough to win the fight.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.