BADOU JACK CALLED OUT

SUNDAY September 10, 2017

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT contender Sullivan Barrera continues to train for what he hopes is an explosive end-of-year showdown with Badou Jack.

After stopping Paul Parker and beating Joe Smith Jnr on HBO, Barrera has his sights set firmly on facing the two-division titlist – who added the secondary WBA 175lb strap to his collection in August when he defeated Nathan Cleverly – before 2018.

“First off I want to say congratulations on beating Nathan Cleverly. I know you said you want to fight [WBC boss] Adonis Stevenson, but he has to face his mandatory next. I want your WBA belt around my waist,” says Barrera. “You know that your style and my style will make for an explosive fight. I’m sure the fans would want to see the fight. I would love to fight Sergey Kovalev too, but me and you are both off big wins, so let’s do this.”

With Stevenson likely facing Eleider Alvarez, and Andre Ward – who handily outscored Barrera last year – talking about moving up to cruiser or heavy, Barrera hopes to be Jack’s next rival.

“I haven’t ever seen Badou back down from a challenge, so why would he start with me? It is simple, he needs an opponent and so do I. The ball is in your court, Badou. Do you accept my challenge?”