Anthony Crolla defends WBA Lightweight title against Ismael Barroso on Saturday, May 7

SAN DIEGO, CALIF.- March 17, 2016 – On Saturday afternoon, May 7, Anthony Crolla will make the first defense of the WBA Lightweight championship when he takes on hard punching and undefeated challenger Ismael Barroso in a bout that will headline a full afternoon of boxing on AWE–A Wealth of Entertainment.

“We are very excited about this great fight coming to AWE,” said AWE President Charles Herring.

“Crolla won his title on AWE in November with a stunning knockout over Darleys Perez and now we are happy to bring the fans in the United States his first defense. Barroso has a great style and it should make for an action packed fight.”

The bout will originate from the Manchester Arena.

Crolla of Manchester, England has a record of 30-4-3 with 12 knockouts.

He turned professional on October 14, 2006 with a win over Abdul Rashid (1-0).

The 29 year-old has amassed wins over 4-time world title challenger Michael Brodie (36-3-1), Andy Morris (19-3), John Watson (13-1), Willie Limond (34-3), Syephen Jennings (5-1-1), Kieran Farrell (14-0), former Junior Welterweight world champion Gavis Rees (37-2-1), Stephen Foster (31-4-1) & Former world title challenger John Murray (33-2).

On November 21, he won the WBA Lightweight title with a one-punch body shot knockout over reigning champion Darleys Perez (32-1-1) in the same Arena will he will make his first defense in Manchester.

Barroso of El Tigre, Venezuela has a undefeated mark of 19-0-2 with 18 big knockouts.

The 33 year-old is an 11-year veteran who has victories over Alfonso Perez (4-1), Addir Sanchez (7-1), Abraham Gomez (16-3-1), Oscar Arena (22-3), Winston Campos (17-2-4), Issouf Kinda (17-2) and in his last bout, he captured the WBA Interim world championship with a fifth-round stoppage over Kevin Mitchell (39-3) on December 12 in London.

A Full undercard and start time will be announced shortly.
About AWE LIVE BOXING

AWE LIVE Boxing features live world title championship and elimination bouts showcasing today’s most exciting fighters. Since the inception of AWE’s live boxing events in 2011, and has featured over 50 world class title fight. AWE has earned multiple Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for “Fight of the Year” and has featured over thirty world class boxing events. In 2013, AWE showcased all live bouts featuring heavyweight David Price. AWE aired live the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over David Price, along with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew cards, who fought each other for the light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale. AWE brought boxing fans two of the most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran. AWE fans have witnessed the explosive power of undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury multiple times on the network, including Fury’s victory over Kevin Johnson. In 2014, AWE televised the crowning of lightweight champion Terence Crawford with his win over Burns as well as the exciting rematches between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez along with Tony Bellew defeating Nathan Cleverly. In 2015, AWE brought boxing fans on of the most anticipated rematches of the year, Darleys Perez v. Anthony Crolla II for the WBA Lightweight World Title.

In 2016, AWE was the exclusive American boradcaster of Lucas Browne’s stunning knockout over Ruslan Chagaev to win the WBA Heavyweight title.