Anthony Crolla must maintain discipline against Ismael Barroso, says Kevin Mitchell
Thursday 5 May 2016 17:05, UK
Kevin Mitchell ended his career with a stoppage defeat to Ismael Barroso but still sees a way for Anthony Crolla to defend his WBA world lightweight title in Manchester on Saturday.
Popular Londoner Mitchell called retired after losing out to the heavy-handed Venezuelan (19-0-2-KO18) at The O2 in December and admits only the most disciplined execution of a carefully-crafted game plan can see Crolla (30-4-3-KO12) defy the odds - live on Sky Sports.
Mitchell (39-4-KO29) told Sky Sports: "When I fought Barroso, in my mind, I thought I was in great shape because when you're a fighter you think you're always up for it and don't fear anyone.
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"I'm very observant about my opponents and I knew he was a puncher but I thought he had clumsy feet and that I could outsmart him with feet and hands. Long story short, his feet were good and he chinned me!
"Looking back at it, I struggled to make weight and I wasn't enjoying training. My trainer Tony Sims said when I came back for the next fight and ended up retiring that he had wanted me to retire before the Barroso fight. I think after the world title fight against Linares, I lost heart.
"Just because Barroso did that to me, doesn't mean he's going to do it to Crolla. I was written off when I fought Breidis Prescott because he knocked Amir Khan out and I pulled that one out of the bag as a bigger underdog.
"Crolla has to box smart, keep to his jab and avoid throwing combinations of more than three punches. He needs to move his feet and give him angles but not back off too much otherwise Barroso will just run at him. He's got to stick to it."
You have to change your game, and if Crolla can change his game then he proves himself a worthy world champion. If he can't, then he'll get himself knocked out.
Mitchell, who at the age of 31 is already considering entering coaching under the guidance of Tony Sims, accepts he wasn't at his best when facing Barroso but is confident that if Crolla can produce another famous Manchester night by adapting his style to his challenger accordingly.
He said: "I'm not stupid. At my best, I was one of the best in the weight division. With world level, there are always fighters and styles that beat others. That night there, against Barroso, was when I knew. When you're being dropped by a jab, it's time to call it a day.
"He's up there as the hardest punchers I've faced like Carl Johanneson, Prescott, Michael Katsidis. On my good days, they never bothered me though and I think on the night of the Barroso fight, it was just one too many fights. I don't think he's going to be doing it to Crolla, though.
"You have to change your game, and if Crolla can change his game then he proves himself a worthy world champion. If he can't, then he'll get himself knocked out. I believe he's got it though. He's fit, able and strong and he can do it."
Watch Crolla v Barroso live on Sky Sports 2 this Saturday from 7.30pm
