Andre Ward and Sakio Bika agreement close, will not be Super Six bout
Terms for a November 27 bout between WBA super middleweight titlist Andre Ward and replacement opponent Sakio Bika are almost complete, boxingscene.com and others report. What’s more is that the fight will apparently not be part of the Super Six Boxing
tournament for which it was originally slated.
Ward, the leading contestant in the Showtime sponsored tournament, turned heads earlier on with a dominant performance over Mikkel Kessler, followed by a routine disposal of Allan Green in June. He was scheduled to fight fellow U.S. Olympic teammate Andre
Dirrell on November 27 for the Group Stage 3 of the tournament, but Dirrell dropped out citing neurological problems.
Bika, chosen as a worthy replacement, has been a viable super middleweight contender for years. He boasts victories over Joe Calzaghe and Lucian Bute, and most recently a loss to Jean Paul Mendy (in which he was disqualified).
With reports that the bout will not be part of the Super Six action, it is unclear how the tournament will wrap-up the withdrawal of Dirrell or treat Ward’s tournament contract. Ward is employed in the tournament, and contractually obliged to fight in it.
It is possible Ward-Bika will not affect tournament outcomes, but will nevertheless be affiliated with Showtime.
Many have said Ward-Bika will be a compelling bout because both are known as rough, intimidating fighters. Against Kessler, Ward used his head and bullied him, despite having the athletic ability to box him cleanly. Bika, though not in the same class as
Ward in terms of skills, is also known for roughing up opponents, and it is therefore highly unlikely Ward will be able to push him around like others.
The bout will take place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Ward’s hometown, and go head-to-head with HBO’s televised broadcast of Juan Manuel Marquez versus Michael Katsidis, for the lightweight title.
Tags: