Barrera eyeing return after shoulder surgery, wants Browne
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Barrera last fought in June, dropping a decision to Jesse Hart
Cuban light heavyweight bruiser Sullivan Barrera, who hasn’t fought since a short-notice loss to Jesse Hart in June, has dropped some updates as 2019 draws to a close. Now a promotional free agent, he has recovered from an August shoulder surgery to repair issues that he claims have dogged him for “the past few years.”
His target? Former interim champion Marcus Browne.
“He had surgery to repair his rotator cuff and torn labrum in August. He has been back in the gym working and is ready to go. He is a promotional free agent so he can fight with anyone,” said his manager Luis Molina. “Marcus Browne is coming off of a loss and so is Sully. This next fight will be a make or break fight for Sully and Browne needs to get back in the mix too so I think it would be a perfect fight for both of them.”
“A lot of people say I am too old but I know what I can do. I wasn’t 100% the past few fights. People haven’t seen the best Sully B in a long time. I just need one more chance to step in the ring and prove it. If I am so old and past it then I am sure Browne’s people will have no problem making the fight,” said Barrera.
I’m inclined to agree with Molina. Barrera (22-3, 14 KO) is closing in on his 38th birthday, but remains among the best gatekeepers at 175 pounds. Browne (23-1, 16 KO) looks to be right at the precipice between the fighters who’ve beaten Barrera and the ones who’ve fallen to him, and needs a big win to erase the memory of his bizarre loss to Jean Pascal that saw him dropped three times.
Even if that doesn’t wind up happening, I’m just glad we’ll see Barrera back in action. Dude’s game as they come.