in Riga as the co-main-event on the Iliev/Ponomarev card @ lightweight, 12 rounds for the IBF Inter-Continental Lightweight Title and the WBO International Lightweight Title both held by Isa Chaniev after beating Jean Pierre Bauwens and Juan Martin Elorde last year. Ismael Barroso is a 35 year old heavy handed southpaw from El Tigre, Venezuela while Isa Chaniev is 10 years younger than his opponent and from Russia. I can remember Barroso fighting Crolla in 2016 where he was 4-1/5-2 rounds ahead before getting KOd with a nasty body shot in the seventh round. Chaniev lost a close decision to Fedor Papazov one year ago as his only loss. Only 5 of his 13 opponents having an positive fight record so far so this is looking like a huge step up. Barroso has some impressive KO wins under his gloves vs Winston Campos, Kevin Mitchell and Fidel Maldonado Jr... Barroso in his last fight vs Maldonado Jr This content is protected Barroso vs Crolla This content is protected Chaniev vs Elorde This content is protected Chaniev vs Papazov This content is protected
If Barroso boxes intelligently and not like a raging maniac, as he did against Crolla, he should take this one easy, but it is near Russia, so if it goes the distance there could be a robbery. Although I highly doubt it will, when taking his time and actually placing his shots, Barroso is a murderous puncher, that's capable of competing with the best in the world.
