Crolla (30-4-3, 12 KOs) has chosen to ignore pleas from domestic promoters in his native England to engage in a showdown with WBO Champion Terry Flanagan and instead make his mandatory defense and face Cohen’s fighter, Interim WBA World Champion Ismael Barroso on May 7 at the Manchester Arena.
Barroso, with his intimidating 19-0-2, 18 KOs record and terrifying punching power, is considered a much more dangerous challenge to Crolla.
“You have to give your respect to Crolla,” said Cohen. “Crolla could have easily chosen to take the easier route of vacating his belt and fighting Flanagan, like Derry Matthews did, but he didn’t. That’s what true champions do.”
Barroso, of El Tigre, Venezuela, is slowly earning the reputation as the most dangerous lightweight on the planet. And while Cohen congratulates Crolla for his courage, he doesn’t necessarily think it was a smart career move.
“This fight is like when Gennady Golovkin fought Grzegorz Proksa in his US premium cable debut. Ismael Barroso simply needs to be seen on USA premium cable and once he is, the USA boxing fans will fall in love with him! Fans love Knockouts!!
