Fans can help me keep belt in city

ANTHONY Crolla prepares for the challenge.

CHADDERTON-based boxing star Anthony Crolla knows full well he is facing a very dangerous opponent tomorrow night in the form of the undefeated Venezuelan Ismael Barroso.

But the WBA world lightweight champion is convinced that, with the help of the fervent support of the fight fans in Manchester, he will retain his title.

Crolla claimed the title when he stopped Darleys Perez in the fifth round at the Manchester Arena last November.

And the Moston ace will be back at the venue this weekend to tackle mandatory challenger Barroso, who impressed when stopping Kevin Mitchell at the O2 in December.

Crolla said: “I always believe that, when you’re a world champion, you take on the best possible challenges and Ismael Barroso certainly fits that bill. Very dangerous, very avoided.

“But the question marks are still there and I’ll find out for sure just how good he is tomorrow.

“I’ve been in championship rounds, I’ve been in tough fights and I’ve come through them. If that’s what it’s going to be, it’ll stand me in good stead.

“I’m very proud of the title and it’s something that I’ve worked very hard to get. That’s why I’ve left no stone unturned to make sure that belt stays in Manchester.”

There was a sizeable turnout for Crolla’s Monday workout at the National Football Museum in central Manchester.

He added: “It was a great little turnout on a bank holiday. It’s the support I get from this city and it’s something I’m humbled by. It’s nice to give the fans something back.”

Meanwhile, Amir Khan believes he will become the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world if he overcomes Saul “Canelo” Alvarez late tomorrow night in Las Vegas.

Khan challenges the formidable Mexican for his WBC middleweight title at the T-Mobile Arena.

It will be the first time Khan has fought above welterweight but the British fighter is unfazed by the move up in weight and is convinced he has the attributes to ensure he claims a stunning win over Alvarez. He said: “Beating Canelo will definitely take me back to the top where I want to be.”