Anthony Crolla says Ismael Barroso will bring the best out of him
Wednesday 20 April 2016 12:11, UK
Anthony Crolla is happy to be the underdog against the "most avoided lightweight in the world" because it will bring the best out of him.
The WBA world lightweight champion makes his first defence against Ismael Barroso in Manchester on May 7, live on Sky Sports.
Barroso has knocked out 18 out of his 19 victims, including Britain's Kevin Mitchell in his last fight in December - and is the Mancunian champion's first mandatory challenger.
You only have to look down my record to see the better the opponent, the higher I raise my level and I will look forward to doing it again on May 7.
Despite fighting in front of his huge local support, Crolla is being classed as the betting underdog, but warned the Venezuelan it will not faze him.
"This is very tough mandatory but when you're world champion you take on the best challengers and certainly Ismael Barroso fits that bill," he told Sky Sports.
"He's a quality fighter, one of the most - if not the most - avoided lightweight in the world, but this is right my up my street.
"Throughout my career I've gone into fights where I've not been fancied to win or that were seen as a tough test but I've upset all that.
"I think that's when I perform the best and you only have to look down my record to see the better the opponent, the higher I raise my level and I will look forward to doing it again on May 7."
Crolla has taken just two weeks off since winning the WBA lightweight strap at the end of November, stopping Darleys Perez with a brutal bodyshot after five rounds of their world title rematch.
'Million Dollar' had to settle for a controversial draw in his first attempt four months earlier but feels he is already a better fighter.
"I've certainly improved as a fighter since November, definitely," he said,
"I have been working hard and feel better than the fighter who won the world title in November. Now I just need to go out there and show it.
"I don't want to give too much away but I have studied Barroso's fights and there are certain things that on the night we can capitalise on.
"Barroso is not just a crude slugger which is what we all thought he was going to be against Kevin Mitchell, but there is a bit more about him.
"I've got to take him out of his comfort zone and not let him hunt me down like he likes [to do] and fight at a tempo he can't settle down in.
"That is one of my strengths. I've always had a good engine and my heart has never been questions out there. I always say there are fighters out there who want it as much as me, but none who want it more than me.
"My desire has grown since becoming a world champion. I am not satisfied."
Watch Anthony Crolla v Ismael Barroso live on Sky Sports 2, 7:30pm, Saturday, May 7.
