Los Angeles-based undefeated Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) will look to continue his impressive run up the light heavyweight ladder, but standing in his way will be his toughest competition to date in the form of Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs), as the two warriors go head-to-head in a 10-round bout on HBO Latino Boxing on Friday, December 16 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
Shabranskyy is coming off of victories inside the distance in his last seven of eight fights and last appeared on HBO Latino at the end of last year when he earned a hard-fought majority decision against rugged contender Yunieski Gonzalez.
“My goal is to win a world championship in the light heavyweight division, and Barrera is just another stepping stone on that path,” Shabranskyy said. “I am excited to make my second appearance on HBO Latino, and look forward to fans seeing me get ready to take on any upcoming challenges in the ring.”
Barrera is a standout boxer/puncher out of Cuba, now living in Miami. He has amassed a stellar record and reputation during his years in the sport with his only blemish a hard-fought battle against top five pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward. Barrera’s main challenge has been finding opponents willing to step into the ring against him.
“I’m looking forward to December 16. My respect to Shabranskyy for agreeing to fight me,” said Barrera. “This will be a great fight for the fans!”
“Anyone who has heard me talk about Slava over the last few years knows that I’m extremely bullish on him winning a world championship in his next few fights,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.”He can do anything in the ring – he’s got power in both hands, he moves incredibly well for a tall fighter and he has an incredible capacity to learn from his mistakes. With a win against Barrera, Slava will position himself for some very big things in 2017.
“Sullivan gave Andre Ward the toughest fight Ward has had in years,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “A performance like that against one of the best fighters in the world is impressive! With the experience he gained and a new trainer to guide him, I think Sullivan has everything he needs to become a world champion. That journey starts with beating Slava Shabranskyy on December 16!”
In the televised co-main event of the night, Bronx-born IBF North American welterweight titlist Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez (19-1, 11 KOs) will put his title on the line in a 10-round fight against undefeated Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (16-0, 11 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts.
Gomez is coming off of three straight victories including a May win in this last appearances over Jon Karl Sosa that earned Gomez the IBF North American welterweight title.
Ellis has never tasted defeat in this three-year career and has held the WBA Fedecentro welterweight title and the interim WBC Latino Welterweight championship. He has fought at the junior middleweight and middleweight limits during his last two fights, but returns to welterweight for his showdown with Gomez.
Rounding out the HBO Latino card, WBC Silver featherweight titlist and Santa Ana-born Ronny Rios (26-1, 11 KOs) will seek to grow his three-fight winning streak – including a solid victory against the then-undefeated Jason Velez to earn the belt — against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
