Derry Mathews Accused Of Avoiding Ismael Barroso

By Shaun Brown

Ismael Barroso’s promoter Greg Cohen has accused Britain’s Derry Mathews of avoiding his Venezuelan lightweight.

Mathews, the former WBA Interim Lightweight title holder, had been scheduled to face Barroso in 2015. The Liverpudlian vacated his strap to go for the bigger prize of the full WBO title when he faces fellow Brit and reigning champion Terry Flanagan on February 13 at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

The WBA Interim belt will be contested this Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena by Barroso and Kevin Mitchell. Today at Canary Wharf, London Mitchell and Barroso were present at for the final press conference ahead of their fight.

“For Barroso this is a long time coming. [Derry] Mathews did everything possible to avoid fighting Ismael - he is a killer,” said Cohen.

Barroso, unbeaten in 18 fights with 17 not reaching the distance, said: “I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. There is only winner - which will be me. Mitchell has a tough fight.”

Mitchell has a carrot dangling in front of him should he come through Saturday’s fight. A win for the Londoner sets up an all-British world title fight against current WBA World champion Anthony Crolla who ripped the title from Darleys Perez last month with a fifth round stoppage.

“I've worked hard for this,” said Mitchell. “I'll get this job done. Barroso hasn't mixed at my level - I'll beat him then beat Crolla.”

Kevin Mitchell v Ismael Barroso is part of a Sky Box Office pay-per-view attraction headlined by the British heavyweight grudge match between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 or contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com