Friday 6 May 2016 00:12, UK
Anthony Crolla is planning to upset the odds again when defends his WBA world lightweight crown against Ismael Barroso at the Manchester Arena on Saturday.
Crolla stopped Darleys Perez in five rounds to win the title in November and he will now return to the same venue to put his title on the line for the first time, live on Sky Sports.
Heavy handed Barroso is a slight favourite with the bookmakers after claiming 18 of his 19 wins by knockout but 'Million Dollar' is happy to be the outsider yet again.
"I've been the underdog a lot in my career and it's worked well for me. I've thrived off it," said Crolla. "It's not often the world champion is the underdog when he defends a title, but here we are.
"I've proved people wrong and I will keep doing it. I've improved since the Perez fight and I'm going to show it on Saturday."
Undefeated Barroso put himself in pole position to challenge for Crolla's title when he stopped Kevin Mitchell in five rounds in December.
The Mancunian could have taken an easy fight for his first defence but Crolla believes a champion should face the best.
"There was no way I was going to swerve Barroso," said Crolla. "I'll fight anyone and I wasn't about to duck my mandatory, no matter how dangerous.
"He's been swerved and avoided, but when you are the champion it's your responsibility to fight the best opponents out there and he fits the bill.
"Barroso showed against Kevin that he was more than just a raw, wild big puncher. He showed he had ability and a boxing brain.
"That wasn't the best Kevin Mitchell that night. I felt at the weigh-in that it was going to be a tough night for Kev as he looked a bit frail and he looked a bit old in there."
Crolla's first defence comes on a huge night of action in Manchester as welterweights Shayne Singleton and Adil Anwar meet for the vacant WBC international silver strap.
Marcus Morrison has his first title fight against Jefferson Luiz De Souza for the vacant WBC international silver middleweight belt, one of five Joe Gallagher-trained fighters in action alongside Crolla.
Former world super-middleweight title challenger Paul Smith returns to the ring in his first fight since losing to Andre Ward last June, while unbeaten light-heavyweights Hosea Burton and Callum Johnson are also in action.
Martin Murray warms up for his summer showdown with George Groves, lightweight Tommy Coyle gets back in the ring and former Team GB star Warren Baister, Dublin's Jono Carroll, Prestwich's Sean Ben Mulligan and Sale's Ben Sheedy also feature on the bill.
