Aaaaaaand STILL...
The incredible story of Manchester's Anthony Crolla continued as he beat the challenger to his WBA world title - and the bookies - with a stunning seventh round stoppage of Ismael Barroso at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.
The destructive Venezuelan entered the contest as the betting favourite to rip the belt from Crolla, but wilted in the face of some sublime ring generalship and shot selection by the hometown fighter, who was roared on by a borderline maniacal Manc audience.
The life-long Manchester United fan dropped Barroso by virtue of exhaustion in the sixth before ending the contest with a sweetly-placed body shot in the seventh, once more beating the odds in what's transpiring to be one of the most remarkable careers in British sport.
@ant_crolla stops Barosso to retain his world title #CrollaBarroso #DangerZone ? pic.twitter.com/pnyeEKTLPp
— BOXING CORNER 24/7 (@boxingcorner247) May 7, 2016
Anthony Crolla retains his WBA world lightweight title stopping Barroso in the 7th round #CrollaBarroso @ant_crolla pic.twitter.com/ZQJdSYM5Zg
— British Boxing (@britishboxers) May 7, 2016
Simply put, 'Million Dolla' Crolla is one of the most amicable men in the sport - like, Andy Lee levels of likeability - but he's now putting in the types of performances which suggest he might well become a crossover star in the UK.
A fight with fellow lightweight beltholder, fellow Manc Terry Flanagan - a Manchester City fan - would be one for the ages, were it possible for Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren to do business together. Perhaps a two-legger at Old Trafford and the Etihad will be in order if the UK's premier promoters ever bury the hatchet.
