Barroso Reflects on Loss To Crolla, Picks Linares in Rematch

By Ben Jacobs

For many in the sport Ismael Barroso was the clear favourite to beat Anthony Crolla when they clashed for the WBA lightweight title earlier this year in Manchester.  The Venezuelan arrived with a devastating knockout ratio and had previously stopped Kevin Mitchell on a prior visit to England.  Nevertheless, it was Mancunian Crolla who ended up stopping Barroso with a body shot in the seventh round.

BoxingScene.com was able to speak to Barroso this week via telephone just before a gym session in Miami to look back at what was a huge setback in his career and gather his thoughts as to what he plans for 2017.

“I thought as soon as I hit Crolla with a good shot he would go down because I really felt good, I had trained very hard,” Ismael explained.  “But I wasn’t fighting any old fighter, he was a world champion for a reason.  But I move on, I’m training hard and looking to be a champion, that’s my objective.”

The 33-year-old was leading on all three judges’ scorecards when the fight ended with scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice.

“I know I was winning practically every round against Crolla but I got tired, I spent all my energy and it’s just something that happened, it can serve me as a good learning experience.  These things can happen in boxing. 

“I would love a rematch with him and I feel I would deserve it.  I was winning the fight before I got tired and I want to show everyone that I just made a mistake - I thought he’d be an easier fight than Kevin Mitchell but I underestimated him.”

Barroso was a keen observer of Crolla’s title defence against his fellow Venezuelan, Jorge Linares which saw the Ismael Salas trained fighter come away with a points victory from his sterling efforts in Manchester just two months ago.

“It was a very close fight, I knew that fight would go the distance.  I also knew that Linares had great boxing skills, speed and more experience, and he showed it.  If the rematch happens I think it’s a difficult fight for both men.  But I believe that as Linares won the first fight he will win the second because he knows how to deal with Crolla having fought him and studied him.”

Could southpaw Barroso even make a challenge to his countryman should the opportunity arise?

“We are two Venezuelans but boxing is a business and if my manager and promoter came to an agreement then I’d fight him.  I want to fight the champions. 

That’s what we’re working towards, having another big opportunity.

“We should be fighting before the end of the year – we’re in good shape!”