Anthony Crolla (c) vs. Ismael Barroso - May 7th 2016

[Neil Gee]

There's no doubt Crolla has improved beyond recognition the last couple of years but Barroso looks like a natural. I'm going to be loyal to Ant because he's a local lad, but think he needs to step up in level to win.

[wesshaw1985]

Eddie Hearn ‏@EddieHearn - 2 hours ago

Danger Zone! @ant_crolla will defend his 135lb @WBABoxing against Ismael Barroso on May 7 at @McrArena @SkySportsBoxing @ManUtd

[Stuarty]

Where has Barroso been? He's 33 and I'd never heard of him before he tanked Mitchell. I can't really make a confident prediction on this fight as I haven't seen much of Barroso. I'll be supporting Crolla. Hopefully he can grind out a points win. From what I've seen he'll probably need to come through a few shaky moments along the way. Kind or similar to Burns v Rocky Martinez a few years back.

[PredatorHayds]

I see a easy night for Crolla.

Barrosa has power but awful technique and Crolla will stick to a gameplan and box his ears off around the 118-110 mark.

[wesshaw1985]

Presser - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6cEYiTK1eo
Head 2 Head - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_uqu6XR0tE
Crolla Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNvRhT-aMa4
Hearn Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qN3RI-hRC0

[BigSexy]

Crolla will win this. Just wonder where he goes from there.

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5Bf7pfMjzc

[tsmithy50]

Crolla will win this. Just wonder where he goes from there.

Surely Flanagan.

[Stuarty]

Crolla will win this. Just wonder where he goes from there.

Surely Flanagan.

Yeah that has to happen if Crolla comes through this one. If it does hopefully it's on BN. Frank will probably use the fact he sent Skeete over for the Eggington fight to try and sway it.

[tsmithy50]

I remember reading an article after Flanagan/Matthews stating Warren offered 'huge' money but Hearn still took the Barroso fight, both being from Manchester it kind of sells itself really. If Crolla loses on the 7th it'll never happen.

[Switch hitter]

Crolla will break him down and make him quit/give up in about 9 or 10 rounds.....

[brilo33]

it is mad how Anthony Crolla is in this position.less then 2 years ago the man was in hospital with a fractured skull, talk about BBC BBC personality of the year awards being snubbed ,the man is an absolute fighter of life, but this ismael looks a tough nut bashed mitchell though dont think it was a good mitchell he beat that night ,good luck crolla you have conqueror less

[handsofstone]

Dangerous 1st defence for Crolla and one they probably could've done without just yet but credit to Anthony he seems to be relishing the challenge, his confidence will be at an all time high being world champ and stopping a good fighter in Perez and stopping him proper as opposed to the ref prematurely stepping in

I've gotta say though I think Barroso will stop him here,I was impressed with the way he took Mitchell apart patiently and ended up KOn him with a jab,,he's much more than just a banger, hes not crude,,looks clever,tall,southpaw and naturally heavy handed, think he'll stop Crolla late unfortunately

[pimp]

I'm taking nothing away from Crolla here but he's a weak champion, he's been well looked after since he teamed up with matchroom, he beat a shot foster and murray and I thought he lost to Rees ( Rees past his best ), Perez was shockingly rubbish ranked 47th or whatever in the world. I think barroso may well stop him but It wouldn't surprise me if Crolla grinds a Pts victory cos he has an excellent defence and tight guard !

[lefty]

Barroso will win.

[BigSexy]

I remember reading an article after Flanagan/Matthews stating Warren offered 'huge' money but Hearn still took the Barroso fight, both being from Manchester it kind of sells itself really. If Crolla loses on the 7th it'll never happen.

Colour me crazy, but I think if Crolla loses, there's more chance of a Flanagan fight.

Win or lose, the fight sells in Manchester. With Terry in the "home" corner, there's still going to be very decent money (not 500k, but decent) and a last chance of a title for Crolla on offer.

I like Crolla, he's a great bloke and a handy fighter. But something in me thinks he'd rather hold on to his title than gain more titles and will sit on a few defences before retiring.

Basing that on nothing but gut-feeling.

[wesshaw1985]

Eddie Hearn ‏@EddieHearn - 12 hours ago
Press conference tomorrow 12.30 Raddison Manchester everyone welcome! @ant_crolla @MartinMurrayBox @Shaynesing1 @Adil_Anwar @MarcusSweetMNM

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba7LblOUZO8

[PredatorHayds]

Heard rumours in the past that Barroso hasn't got the best stamina.

If Crolla avoids a early bomb I fancy him to win. Maybe a late stoppage but I've put my money on points.

I thought Mitchell was poor as opposed to Barroso being good.

[Stuarty]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba7LblOUZO8

Barroso looks as if he's not eaten in about two weeks there!

[Stuarty]

Heard rumours in the past that Barroso hasn't got the best stamina.

If Crolla avoids a early bomb I fancy him to win. Maybe a late stoppage but I've put my money on points.

I thought Mitchell was poor as opposed to Barroso being good.

Kev didn't look sharp at all in that fight. He must've been out feeding that cock of his while he was meant to be training.

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcqecwqoiwI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sElf0yo6UhM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mejQTAVARXg

[Autobarn]

Really like Crolla. He's battled through a very tough British scene at 130 and 135, he's persevered to get through the setbacks. He's calm and composed but he can be a bit too much of that. I had him soundly beating Rees, had him off balance or flailing all night but sometimes you wish for that championship caliber rally to close the round and make everything emphatic. Like the Murray fight. This is the thing with Crolla, solid and dependable but he can fight one speed. You want that something extra maybe and although he was robbed in that draw it took him two fights to blast the guy out. But it's good he's not flaky like Mitchell, good that you know the same solid and dependable fighter will turn up each fight.

I do think he can become a good champion and I hope he can chase Linares. The main thing that has been missing is experience vs international opposition so I'm glad he is facing another import.

The only weakness I see with Crolla is he is slow to change from the back foot to the front foot. Hope the challenger can really test and bring the best out of him in a good fight. Crolla has been in lots of those and I hope he can carry his form fully from domestic to world level.

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7I8_iuBkDA

[tobyh5]

Is that quite an early weigh in? I do not normally pay attention to when they weigh in as always work Fridays and have always seen the results of weigh ins when I log on at home after dinner.

Seems early and a long time to rehydrate