By Carlos Boogs, Ryan Burton
Abel Sanchez, trainer for Sullivan Barrera, says Andre Ward (29-0, 15KOs) is in no way ready for a showdown with WBO/WBA/IBF light heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev (29-0-1, 26KOs).
Ward has unanimously outpointed Barrera in his light heavyweight debut on Saturday night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California to set the stage for a potential title fight with Kovalev in the fall.
The Olympic gold medal winner ended a nine-month layoff while fighting for just the fourth time in four years.
Sanchez strongly feels that Ward needs at least two of three more fights to get ready for Kovalev.
Barrera landed some good punches during the twelve rounds, but he's not a tremendous puncher. If Kovalev, who is a much better fighter, lands those exact shots - then Ward would be in a world of trouble, says Sanchez.
"[Ward] is absolutely not [ready for Kovalev]. The shots that he was getting hit with by Sully, Kovalev would destroy him with those shots. Either he gets two or three more fights to sharpen up," Sanchez said.
"Now mind you, the Andre Ward who fought five or six years ago in the Super Six is a different guy then who fought today. Kovalev is at the top of his game. It would be impossible for me to think that he even has a slight chance against Kovalev."
Ward is likely going to take another interim bout before facing Kovalev, who plans to make a title defense in June. If they win their upcoming fights, they likely showdown would take place on a date in November. The fight with Kovalev is part of a three-fight agreement that Ward signed with HBO in 2015.