Light Heavyweights Sullivan Barrera (14-0, 9 KOs) and Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy (27-5, 18 KOs) will face off for eight rounds on the undercard of the Dargan-Luis card Friday, Jan. 30 at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Barrera and Lacy had originally been scheduled to fight in 2014, however the fight didn’t come to fruition.
Barrera, 32, is from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and made his professional debut in his new home state of Florida in 2009. He won all four of his fights in 2014, three by way of stoppage, and is making his second appearance at Foxwoods. In his last fight at Foxwoods, he stopped Eric Watkins in the sixth round. Sullivan has an impressive 64% (9 of 14) knockout-to-win ratio and his last three victories have come by way of knockout.
“I’ve been in camp since the week after my last fight in November,” explained Barrera. “Camp was excellent. I had the chance to work on a lot of different things. I want to thank my team members, including the one and only GGG [Gennady Golovkin], who’s taught me a lot. I am very thankful to have such a great team.”
Barrera’s manager, Luis Molina added, “I am happy to once again have a chance to showcase Sullivan and continue working towards the ultimate goal to be world champion one day.”
This will be Sullivan’s third fight with world-renowned trainer, Abel Sanchez, the same trainer known for his work with middleweight world champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and fellow Main Events’ stable mate Nadjib Mohammedi. Sanchez said, “Jeff Lacy is an experienced, ex-world champion, which cannot be taken lightly. Camp went well. The more time Sullivan and I spend together the easier it becomes for him to see our vision for his career and development towards a world championship and division domination.”
Sullivan added, “I have really worked on many things during this camp; it’s amazing how much there is to learn. I am eager to get in the ring. Facing an ex-world champion in Jeff Lacy is going to be a tough test. I know he cannot be underestimated but I’m ready to go out there and give the fans what they want to see on January 30. It will be another victory and another step towards a world championship.”
Lacy, 37, made his professional debut in 2001 and remained undefeated for over five years. He is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Timothy Hall, Jr. in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida last month. “I’m looking forward to this fight with Barrera,” explained Lacy. “I am sure that by him wanting this fight with me he is too, and that is what hungers me more!” Lacy also has an impressive knockout-to-win ratio of 67% (18 of 27) so this fight is unlikely to go the distance.
Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “After 14 fights, it’s time for Sullivan to start stepping up. Jeff Lacy was with Main Events early in his career. He’s a former world champion and a tough competitor. This is the right fight for Sullivan at this point in his career and an opportunity for Jeff to jump-start his own. We’re looking forward to a big year for Sullivan Barrera and it starts on January 30!”
