By Keith Idec
Injuries and promotional problems have limited Andre Ward to just two fights since his dominant victory over Chad Dawson in September 2012.
Sullivan Barrera, Ward’s opponent March 26 in Oakland, California, has boxed eight times during that same span, albeit against mostly a low level of opposition. Nevertheless, Abel Sanchez, Barrera’s trainer, doesn’t consider their disparate levels of activity as a big advantage for the unbeaten Barrera.
“I think that Andre is the kind of athlete that stays in the gym,” Sanchez stated while discussing their 12-round light heavyweight fight. “I don’t think the inactivity, as much as the injury he had [which required shoulder surgery], would affect him that much. I’m sure that come fight night some of his skills might not be there at the beginning. But as the fight goes on, he’s gonna recall all that and make for a great fight. He is still a young man [32 on February 23]. He’s not shopworn, so I’m looking for the best Andre Ward that night.”
HBO will televise the bout between Ward (28-0, 15 KOs), of Hayward, California, and the Cuban-born Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) from Oracle Arena.
Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
