Ismael Barroso’s Late-Career Explosion
On January 6, 2024, Ismael Barroso knocked out Ohara Davies in the first round to capture the WBA interim super-lightweight title. The Venezuelan veteran had previously held the WBA interim lightweight title and challenged Anthony Crolla.
Barroso’s career included title success at more than one weight. He first won an interim WBA lightweight championship against Kevin Mitchell in 2015, then later captured an interim super-lightweight belt by stopping Ohara Davies in 2024. The second title came after a long period of activity and showed that Barroso remained a dangerous puncher as he moved up in weight. A title record should distinguish interim championships from full world titles, but the two interim wins still mark major achievements in separate divisions (WBA report).
A breakthrough at lightweight
In December 2015, Barroso stopped Kevin Mitchell in the fifth round at London’s O2 Arena to win the interim WBA lightweight title. The Venezuelan southpaw then challenged full WBA champion Anthony Crolla in Manchester on May 7, 2016. Crolla retained the championship with a seventh-round body-shot knockout.
A second world-title run
Barroso later moved to super lightweight. On May 13, 2023, he fought Rolando Romero for the vacant WBA world title. Romero was behind on all three scorecards when the bout was stopped in the ninth round; Barroso had knocked him down in the third. The controversial result gave Romero the championship.
Barroso returned to Las Vegas on January 6, 2024, and knocked out Ohara Davies in the opening round to win the interim WBA super-lightweight belt. These title fights were at 135 and 140 pounds; Barroso did not win a WBA cruiserweight title.
Barroso’s 2023 fight with Romero and his 2024 win over Davies produced different championship outcomes. Romero was awarded the full WBA super-lightweight title after the stoppage, while Barroso later won the interim version against Davies. The distinction between a full title and an interim belt is important when summarizing his résumé; both are sanctioned championships, but they are not interchangeable. Earlier, his interim lightweight title against Mitchell came at a lower weight, followed by a challenge to Crolla. The WBA’s bout reports document those separate stages of his career (WBA on Davies; WBA on Mitchell).
Sources
Article Tags
Ismael Barroso, Boxing, Boxing History, Championship Results
