By Terence Dooley
WBA World lightweight holder Anthony "Million Dollar" Crolla (30-4-3, 12 KOs) and mandatory challenger Ismael Barroso (19-0-2, 18 early) came face-to-face today in Manchester to formally unveil their May 7 encounter, which takes place at the city's Arena and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Eddie Hearn has called the fight “Danger Zone”. Barroso took apart Kevin Mitchell in five in December, so a few people expected Crolla to opt for a different route.
Crolla, however, hopes to use the fight to show that he is the division’s top gun; he believes that he will have ice in his veins (man) come the night and can diffuse his dangerous foe. Barroso, though, will hope to cook Crolla’s goose to lift the belt and prove that he is the division’s maverick puncher by landing one of his Hollywood shots.
Indeed, the titlist will have to wave his left about like Merlin when they meet as "El Tigre" will lay in wait like a viper as he bids to bring the sun down on Crolla's world title career.
Hearn told the assembled press that his man will win to set-up a big domestic fight with local rival Terry Flanagan, who out-pointed Derry Mathews on Saturday at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
“When Anthony won his world title it was one of the proudest moments of my life,” he said after introducing the fighters.
“When we do the fight with [WBO holder] Terry Flanagan, we will do it properly—and for a lot of money,” added Hearn, a clear response to Frank Warren’s claim that he has offered Crolla £500,000 to take the fight.
“I'd be a fraud if I gave up this belt straightaway because a mandatory is tough,” said Crolla, speaking to the rumours that he would skip the fight. “It's the biggest and toughest fight out there. My belt is my pride and joy.
“Being the underdog doesn't bother me—I've had it my whole career. It got my back up when people assumed I would swerve this. He's been ducked and avoided by many—I’m looking forward to May 7th”
Joe Gallagher, Crolla’s trainer, underlined his fighter’s point by revealing that they never thought of taking any other fight. He said: “This is a very dangerous fight.
“The WBA have been good to us. No way we were vacating—we face our mandatories. Anthony's belief and mine has seen him progress to this level. We need to show the world that Anthony is the number one lightweight.”
Barroso also spoke a few words before Clifford Mass, his promoter, took over. “My fight with Mitchell was good, but this will be even better,” was the challenger’s take. “The outcome is that I will take the belt back to Venezuela.”
“Thanks to Eddie and Sky Sports for this fight,” preached Mass. “Crolla is a true champion inside and outside the ring. We respect him and credit to him. Ismael is the best lightweight in the world, he has devastating power in both hands. This will be an action-packed fight for fans.”
Martin Murray (32-3-1, 15 stoppages) will be the chief support; Hearn revealed that a summer showdown with London’s George Groves is in talks before Murray vowed to put in the type of performance that will force the issue.
“I want it more than ever and I'm ready for anyone in Super middleweight division,” said Murray when discussing his world title aspirations. “I'm willing to travel for a world title. The Groves fight is out there and this is a massive domestic fight. I know I will smash him.”
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