Popular British star Anthony Crolla will defend his WBA lightweight title against Ismael Barroso in Manchester, England, on May 7.

Crolla, who is rated No. 6 by THE RING at 135 pounds, won the belt in November by knocking out Darleys Perez in the fifth round of their rematch with a left hook to the body. That career best performance took place less than a year after the Englishman had overcome life-threatening injuries, sustained while foiling a burglary attempt at a neighbor’s home.

In December, Barroso (19-0-2, 18 KOs) earned his place as mandatory challenger with a violent fifth-round knockout of Kevin Mitchell that effectively ended the Londoner’s career. Many within the trade predicted that Crolla would avoid the hard-hitting Venezuelan but the home fighter is out to silence his critics.

“I am under no illusion that this is a tough task,” said Crolla. “If I don’t fight him I lose my belt, so of course I’m going to fight him. I’ve worked too hard to become world champion to give it away. I enjoyed a break since winning the title, but I have been in the gym for a while already and I am in a good place.

“I knew that wasn’t the best of Kevin Mitchell in there when they boxed. He didn’t look himself at the weigh-in and I was worried he was going to struggle. That said, Barroso was still impressive and we know he’s a big puncher. It’s a really tough examination but one that I am really up for.”

“Anthony Crolla is jumping straight in with a cracking first defense against Barroso,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Barroso is one of the dangerous fighters in the business but Anthony continues to improve and right now I believe he is the man at 135lbs – and he’ll prove it on May 7. He has become one of the biggest stars in British boxing and the following he receives in Manchester is very special. This could be a fight of the year contender and it will be another huge night for British boxing.”

Crolla won the “Most Inspirational” award from THE RING in 2015.

Information provided courtesy of a press release issued by Matchroom Boxing

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Fight Pass members at midday on Saturday March 12 priced at £40, £60, £80 and £100 with VIPs at £200 from the Fight Pass area at www.matchroomboxing.com. They go on general sale at midday on Tuesday March 15 with tickets in the £40 to £100 bracket available from www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000.

Tickets for May 7 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/

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