By Elisinio Castillo
Light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera already has a date, an opponent and a location for his expected return to the ring in what would be his second bout of 2018 and a relaunch ramp in his career.
Barrera will return to the ring on August 18 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and he's going to face the once-beaten Sean Monaghan (29-1, 17 KO) with the hope that a win will return him to the conversation of a world title.
"I want to announce to all my supporters that on the 18th we are back, with more energy than ever and the renewed desire to seek a world title," Barrera said to George Ebro. "Monaghan is a good opponent, with only one defeat. It will be a good test.''
At first, a return was being positioned for the beginning of August on the same evening where WBO world champion Sergey Kovalev will face undefeated Colombian Eleider Alvarez, but an opponent could not be established for that appointment.
After falling to WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol on March 3 in an HBO televised fight, Barrera (21-2, 14 KO) lost no time and returned to training convinced that his defeat was just a bad night.
"Yes, a bad night could happen for anyone, but I have learned from my mistakes," said Barrera. "My coach and I have been correcting those mistakes and I promise to return as a more complete boxer. That is already the past. Now I'm just looking ahead. ''
After a failure against Andre Ward, Barrera - 36 years old - built up a chain of victories that opened up the way for a fight for the world title with Bivol of Russia.
Now, the Cuban hopes to start another winning streak and his first destination is Monagham, whose only defeat took place in 2017 when he was stopped by Marcus Browne.
"Sullivan has not lost any of his talent and that is palpable in training," explained coach Derick Rosario to Ebro. "I see the same old boxer, a warrior who is hungry for triumphs. That will never change in him.''
