Anthony Crolla is fast becoming a British boxing legend.
The Manchester world champion successfully defended his WBA crown against the dangerous Ismael Barroso.
It was the 29-year-old’s first defence since beating Darleys Perez to win the world title in emphatic fashion in November.
The charismatic Crolla went for the toughest challenger in the division for his first mandatory defence.
And the Mancunian took the Venezuelan apart in brutal fashion, finishing the fight in the seventh round with a scything body shot which crumpled him to the canvas.
@ant_crolla stops Barosso to retain his world title #CrollaBarroso #DangerZone 📽 https://t.co/pnyeEKTLPp
— BOXING CORNER 2️⃣4️⃣/7️⃣ (@boxingcorner247) May 7, 2016
The fight started at a furious pace with the 33-year-old Barroso going full pelt to finish the fight early.
Fighting on home turf in front of a vociferous Manchester crowd, Colla took everything that Barroso threw at him early.
He connected with head and body shots, but Crolla sucked everything up and continued to match the previously unbeaten South American.
Barroso’s frenetic pace zapped his energy and by the fifth round Crolla had taken control of the fight.
It looked like Barroso had nothing left in the tank by the seventh round and every shot from Crolla was shaking him to his boots.
‘Million Dolla’ smelled blood and went for the kill, finally dropping his opponent with a beautifully-placed body shot which ended the fight.
“Physiques don’t win boxing fights,” he told iFL TV after the fight. “They never have and they never will.
“But I looked at him within 30 seconds and I knew, then certainly by round five it felt like man against boy in there.
“I broke his heart.”
Crolla has now won 31 of his 38 pro fights.
People were queuing up on Twitter to congratulate the Mancunian for another showreel victory…
@ant_crolla Wow what a performance last night young man 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 the blue side of Manchester are behind you too #PrideOfManchester
— Trevor Sinclair (@trevor8sinclair) May 8, 2016
Just watched the epic @ant_crolla fight,Absolutely nailed his game plan!What a beaut!Serious character! #CrollaBarroso #GreatStory #AndStill
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) May 8, 2016
Congratulations @Ant_Crolla on retaining your WBA lightweight title last night – from all your friends at #mufc. pic.twitter.com/tkeq7a4s3k
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 8, 2016
Whoever said nice guys finish last need to have a look at @ant_crolla. Brilliant, gutsy performance
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) May 8, 2016
Ohhhhhhhhh @ant_crolla, ohhhhhhhhh Anthony Crolla #TeamCrolla
— Ashley Young (@youngy18) May 7, 2016
