By Ben Jacobs
Cuban trainer Osmiri ‘El Moro’ Fernández feels that Ismael Barroso’s (18-0-2, 17 KOs) punching power will be the difference when his charge takes on Kevin Mitchell (39-3, 29 KOs) on December 12 in London.
The Miami-based coach told BoxingScene.com that he is very familiar with the whole lightweight division in the United Kingdom and, believes now is a good time to be facing Mitchell.
“Training has gone well, the only thing we’ve had to change is the tactics as before we were going to face Derry Mathews,” Fernández detailed.
“That fight didn’t happen but then they got another opponent which is Mitchell. But we have been waiting a while.
“I’ve known about Mitchell his whole career because I used to train Richar Abril and it was always said that he may fight Mitchell, or Burns or Matthews or Crolla. We’re ready to fight any of those guys. Luke Campbell was also training here in Miami - I know them all!
“Mitchell has had a hard career,” he continued.
“He’s a good boxer, he’s intelligent. I think though his time has passed and it is now time to let the new guys come through.”
Much has been made of Barroso’s knockout ratio. The Venezuelan hasn’t been the distance in a fight since 2011, a contest which was over eight rounds. Naturally his trainer sees this as being a factor against Londoner Mitchell.
“When we fight away from home, if we don’t have the equalizer it’s going to be a very difficult fight. However, the difference here will be how good Ismael currently is feeling and the strength and power will be the key here.
“Ismael is very hungry for this - he has been in the gym now for seven months.”
Not limited just to training Barroso, Fernández also maintains a healthy quota of fighters at his gym.
“Right now in the gym I also train Yoandris Salinas, Yasmany Consuegra, Walter Castillo, Pedro Rodríguez and a young Cuban prospect, so my gym is pretty full at the moment.”
A previous member of Osmiri’s stable is former WBA lightweight champion, Richar Abril. Based on what Fernández revealed, do not expect to see the Cuban back in the ring anytime soon.
“I haven’t heard from Abril lately. I didn’t train him for his last fight (September 2014).
“I just know that he is in Cuba and he hasn’t been training for a while. He has his own farm in Cuba and his own business. It’s a shame, he’s a great fighter and he can do a lot more. If he comes back it will be very hard for him as he’s a difficult fighter to face and nobody will want to get in the ring with him.”
