Wednesday 27 April 2016 16:16, UK
Anthony Crolla says the fear of Ismael Barroso's heavy hands will drive him to a career-best performance in Manchester next weekend.
Crolla is back in his hometown on May 7, live on Sky Sports, to make the first defence of the WBA lightweight title he took from Darleys Perez with a stinging body shot back in November.
In the opposite corner will be a mandatory challenger who demonstrated class on top of his renowned punch power when he ended Kevin Mitchell's career with a December stoppage.
Unbeaten Barroso has 18 knockouts from 19 wins, but Crolla told Sky Sports News HQ he could not be better prepared for "the most dangerous lightweight on the planet".
"I think every fight is the biggest fight of your career," he said, "but we saw in December just how good Barroso is in the way he dealt with Kevin Mitchell, who is a very good fighter.
"I'm expecting the toughest fight of my career and certainly he's seen as the most dangerous lightweight on the planet, but it's a challenge I'm really looking forward to.
"We've been looking at his strengths and weaknesses to see what I can capitalise on, and obviously I need to be switched on from round one.
"I can't afford to be starting too slow because he's the kind of fighter that if he lands a good punch on you it could be over. I know that, and I have the fear of one punch taking me out to make sure I am sharper than ever.
"Being a world champion is something I've worked so hard for, and I don't want to give it up easily."
