By Alexander Gordopolov
Ukrainian light heavyweight contender Ismayl Sillakh is one of the few fighters to have had the opportunity to spar with both Andre Ward and Sullivan Barrera.
Sillakh has recently moved up to the cruiserweight division and won two fighters in a row, with both contests taking place in Ukraine. Sillakh was last seen in the ring in October.
Currently he gets a lot of work and training in Big Bear, California - where he learns a lot from training Abel Sanchez and his vast stable of talented fighters.
Sillakh is hoping to get in some sparring work with Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin, who is preparing for a mandatory defense against Dominic Wade on April 23rd.
"I really like working with Abel Sanchez's team. Everything is new to me...the methods of work, exercises, boxing equipment,' Sillakh said.
"Gennady just started at the camp and we have not sparred. He is a top-level boxer and it is an honor to train with him."
Ward (28-0, 15KOs) and Barrera (17-0, 12KOs) will place their undefeated records on the line when they collide on March 26th in Oakland, California. Barrera is trained by Sanchez at Big Bear.
"Yes, I've had the opportunity to work with Andre Ward, which I was insanely happy about and got a lot of experience from that. Sullivan is a very good boxer, he is technically sound and powerful - but Ward is currently on a level above.
Alexander Gordopolov covers boxing for ToFight.ru