Sullivan Barrera: record, next fight and profile →
by David P. Greisman - Andre Ward has been seen as one of the best fighters in the world for several years. Ward has barely been seen in the past several years. That much has been said before, said again and then said even more. He beat the best super middleweight around in 2009 when he won a decision over Mikkel Kessler in the opening...
Unbeaten light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0) will take a big step up in competition on Saturday when he faces Andre Ward (28-0) in a HBO televised main event. Former title challenger Jayson Velez and the undefeated Jo Jo Diaz will battle in the televised co-feature bout. The event takes place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.
Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, March 26, to begin his assault on the light heavyweight division when he takes on undefeated and number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round bout at Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
If Andre Ward defeats Sullivan Barrera, the unbeaten former super middleweight champion isn’t sure if he’ll try to squeeze in another bout before fighting Sergey Kovalev.
Two-time world champion Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) is about a week away from his upcoming fight with undefeated light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs).
Andre Ward is completely comfortable with becoming a full-fledged light heavyweight. The 32-year-old Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) feels fresher and stronger, and believes that’ll help him when he faces a bigger, supposedly stronger Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round, 175-pound fight March 26 in Oakland, California (HBO). The most Ward has weighed for any of his 28 professional fights is 171¾ pounds, and that was for his last appearance, a ninth-round stoppage of England’s Paul Smith (35-6, 20 KOs) on June 20 in Oakland.
Respected trainer Abel Sanchez believes Andre Ward has passed his prime ahead of next Saturday’s fight against Sullivan Barrera. Sanchez, who trains Barrera, was speaking to FightHubTV: “I think 5 years ago when he won the Super Six – that’s the Ward we have to worry about. This Ward is a little easier though still a difficult fight.”
Abel Sanchez suspects Sullivan Barrera’s natural size advantage over Andre Ward will be a big factor in their fight March 26. The 6-foot-2 Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) has competed at cruiserweight and light heavyweight since he turned pro in August 2009. The 6-foot Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) won a gold medal at 178 pounds during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, but has boxed almost exclusively as a middleweight and super middleweight since he made his pro debut in December 2004.
Former light heavyweight title challenger Ismayl Sillakh (23-2) is currently serving as a sparring partner for unbeaten Cuban Sullivan Barrera (17-0) in Big Bear, Calif. Barrera faces Andre Ward (28-0) on March 26th in a HBO televised main event.
Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, March 26, to begin his assault on the light heavyweight division when he takes on undefeated and number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round bout at Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California.