By Ryan Burton
Former light heavyweight title challenger Ismayl Sillakh (23-2) is currently serving as a sparring partner for unbeaten Cuban Sullivan Barrera (17-0) in Big Bear, Calif. Barrera faces Andre Ward (28-0) on March 26th in a HBO televised main event.
Sillakh, who has been in the ring with fighters such as WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev and the rugged Denis Grachev, said that Barrera is much better than he anticipated when he made the trip up to Big Bear.
"I am sparring with Sullivan Barrera who is going to fight Andre Ward. He is in good condition and is a really strong guy. He's mentally, physically and technically very good. I was surprised. I never really followed him before but he is a good boxer and he has a good chance against Andre Ward," opined Sillakh.
The Ukrainian fighter also has experience sparring two-time champion Andre Ward who will have the home field advantage against Barrera with the fight taking place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
Sillakh holds Ward in high regard and believes that if Ward isn't the top fighter in the world, he is very close.
"I worked with Ward (as well). Everyone knows he is a great fighter. He is very good and of course he is the favorite in this fight. He is super talented. I can't say nothing else about Andre Ward. For me he is pound for pound. You never know how the fight is going to go but Sullivan is ready," Sillakh told krikya360.com.
As for his future plans, Sillakh says that he is a promotional and managerial free agent. He now campaigns as a cruiserweight and has won two fights in a row since his loss to Kovalev.
"It was starting to get too hard to lose those 25 pounds. I feel much more comfortable at cruiserweight. I don't have a manager or promoter and am looking to get a tune up or two in then hopefully a big fight," said Sillakh.
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter