Sullivan Barrera to Fight Paul Parker on HBO Latino on April 15

Sullivan Barrera will return to the ring on April 15 when he takes on Paul Parker in a 10-round light heavyweight bout. The pairing will serve as the main event of HBO Latino Boxing in conjunction with Mohegan Sun’s Rising Stars Boxing Series.

Barrera (18-1, 13 KOs) is looking to build upon his sensational knockout of previously-unbeaten Vyacheslav Shabranskyy last December. The Cuban made his pro debut in 2009 and quickly ascended the ranks. The only loss he has suffered came at the hands of top-three pound-for-pound entrant Andre Ward last March.

“I’m excited to be back on HBO,” Barrera said. “It has been a tough start to the year for me but I’ve been in the gym working and ready for this opportunity. It is another step towards the ultimate goal of contending for a world title. My opponent is a very good boxer we have studied him in the gym and are ready for everything he will bring come April 15.”

Parker (8-1, 4 KOs) will be in the biggest fight of his life and though he hasn’t faced a ton of opposition as of yet, he’s taken some quality opponents thus far. The only loss on his ledger is a third-TKO at the hands of Shabranskyy in June 2015. He’s since rebounded with a decision win over Lionell Thompson.

Televised coverage begins on HBO Latino beginning at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT with a with a ten-round middleweight battle between Arif Magomedov (18-1, 11 KOs) and Elias Espadas (13-3, 8 KOs).