By Ryan Burton

The Andre Ward (28-0, 15KOs) vs. Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12KOs) showdown has been rumored for weeks. It was finally made official on Tuesday when Roc Nation Sports - who promote Ward - sent out a press release complete with ticket information for the March 26th clash that will take place at the Oracle Arena in Ward's hometown of Oakland, California. HBO will televise the fight.

Over the past few years a lot has been said about a potential clash between Ward, a former unified 168 pound champion and current IBO/WBA/IBF/WBC interim middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin. The fight never happened as Golovkin stayed in the 160 pound division and Ward made the move up to 175.

Golovkin's coach, Abel Sanchez, also trains Barrera and has been very vocal about how Golovkin would fare against Ward.

In a recent conversation with BoxingScene.com, I asked Sanchez how ironic it is that he will finally be across the ring from Ward - but with Barrera in his corner and not Triple G.

"You know it is ironic but first of all I give a lot of credit to Andre and [trainer] Virgil [Hunter] for not only taking a fight at 175, he decided to move up to 175 - but to take a fight against and actual fighter that presents a challenge for him. (Barrera) is an actual guy that has never fought - at least in a sanctioned fight - under the 175 pound division," Sanchez told BoxingScene.com

"So he is fighting a guy who is a [real] 175 pounder and by testing the waters and testing himself I have to give him a lot of credit. But then again Andre is a great fighter and you would expect that from a great fighter."

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