Unbeaten Sullivan Barrera (Photo: Team Barrera)

By Chris Robinson

On July 25, former Cuban amateur star and unbeaten light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (15-0, 10 KO’s) will face off with once-beaten Russian Vasily Lepikhin (17-1, 9 KO’s) from within the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The bout will take place on the undercard of HBO-televised showdown between WBA/IBF/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev and French challenger Nadjib Mohammedi, and all Barrera wants afterwards is a crack at a big name.

“I’m tired of these guys ducking me,” Barrera stated, referencing Jean Pascal in particular. “The best should fight the best. That’s what made boxing great but none of these guys will fight me. I respect Lepikhin for getting in the ring with me.  After I destroy him hopefully HBO and the fans will take notice and demand that these guys fight me. I am ready for any of the top fighters.”

Barrera has been putting in work up in the mountains of Big Bear in Southern California inside of Abel Sanchez’s Summit Gym and expresses confidence.

“I am Cuban and proud of the Cuban school and with Abel Sanchez in my corner, I have the best of both worlds,” stated Barrera. “I can box. I can bang. I can do it all. I’ve called out all of these guys and and we are ready to make a deal to face them.

“All I need is the opportunity and after I showcase my skills on the 25th, I hope to get my opportunity to face a top opponent,” he added. “Pascal, Chilemba, Seanie Monaghan and any of the champions are all on my radar. We really pushed hard to get Pascal but he had no interest in fighting me,” said Barrera.

Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com