Luis Molina, manager of light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KO), has advised his fighter to go all out on March 26th when he steps in the ring with one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, former super middleweight king Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KO).
Injuries and promotional problems have limited Andre Ward to just two fights since his dominant victory over Chad Dawson in September 2012.
For as long as it took for terms to be reached for their March 26 showdown, Sullivan Barrera and his team made sure to have plenty of fun at Andre Ward's expense. Their light heavyweight non-title fight was formally announced on Tuesday, but was preceded by Barrera spending the better part of the buildup winning the Internet with hilarious cartoon captions mocking their talks.
Andre Ward isn't worried about Sullivan Barrera's size advantage as he prepares for his debut as a full-fledged light heavyweight. Ward was an undersized light heavyweight amateur star who often boxed bigger opponents on his way to winning a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The 6-foot Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) has defeated taller foes as a pro as well, most notably 6-1 southpaw Chad Dawson, and thus is confident about beating Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) on March 26 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California (HBO).
On March 26th former unified super middleweight champion Andre Ward (28-0) will return to the ring against rising light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0) in an HBO televised main event. The bout takes place in Ward's hometown of Oakland, Calif.
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.
By Cliff Rold - It took long enough to get settled but Tuesday night the announcement was made. The road to Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward is officially underway. The long expected but well delayed Ward bout with Sullivan Barrera was given a date and site. For Ward (28-0, 15 KO), the former WBA, WBC, and world super middleweight champion, this is this is the beginning of his real comeback...
NEW YORK, NY – Roc Nation Sports is pleased to announce that 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.
BoxingScene.com has been advised that an agreement has been reached for former unified super middleweight champion Andre Ward (28-0, 15KOs) to face undefeated light heavyweight Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12KOs) on March 26th at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. The fight will headline an HBO Championship Boxing card with a co-feature bout to be announced in the near future.
A recent article on BoxingScene.com revealed that a deal between former super middleweight and Super Six tournament winner Andre Ward and undefeated Cuban Sullivan Barrera was close to being reached for March 26th. If finalized the fight would take place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland and headline a HBO World Championship Boxing card.