With Andre Dirrell’s withdrawal, it looks very likely that WBA super middleweight titlist Andre Ward will defend his belt on November 27 against contender Sakio Bika. While Bika may doesn’t have the name recognition of the Super Six participants, the bout may be Ward’s toughest since the round-robin tournament began last November.
Bika (28-4-2, 19 KOs) has been on the shelf since being disqualified in July against Jean Paul Mendy. He looked was on his way to a first round KO before hitting Mendy while he was down. Bika was then approached to replace Mikkel Kessler as Allan Green’s opponent on November 6. However, he turned down the offer due to the death of his father and not wanting to enter training camp so quickly. This time, Bika is more flexible to face Ward since their proposed fight would take place a few weeks later (November 27), would be for a major title, and guarantee more money.
What is most intriguing about this fight is the rough-house tactics and mentality of both fighters. Neither man is shy about using fouls like headbutts or forearms to gain an advantage. But where Ward is normally more subtle, Bika is flagrantly blatant. In 2007, he completely disrupted Joe Calzaghe’s game plan and dragged the Welshman into an ugly, mauling fight. Despite winning, Calzaghe was clearly banged up, cut, and spent afterward. In his last fight, Ward broke Allan Green’s will by exclusively fighting him on the inside; raining down short punches while keeping his head pressed against Green’s face and upper chest. Before that, Ward upset Kessler by beating him to the punch from long-range . Many note that Kessler’s chances were not helped by several cuts, one of which resulted in a technical decision stoppage, that were caused by Ward rushing in with his head.
What this all means is that we’ll have a fight on our hands. Bika possesses a strong chin and does not give ground. Ward won’t be able to bully him like he did Allan Green. If the champ fouls, Bika will simply throw back two in return. His two most well-known U.S. performances were against Peter Manfredo and Jaidon Condrington, both of whom he bombed out. So along with possibly meeting his match in physical strength and fouls, Andre Ward will also have to be wary of Bika’s power.
Does this mean that Sakio Bika is even money with Andre Ward? Definitely not. Ward is much more technically sound, and has shown the ability to execute different strategies in the ring. Against Miranda and Kessler, he was a boxer-puncher who worked best for mid and long-range. With Green, he was an inside beast in the mold of a younger Bernard Hopkins. Bika doesn’t have the luxury of possessing that type of skill, and therefore will be a decided underdog.
The main thing is style-wise Andre Ward is guaranteed a tougher, more physically taxing fight with Bika than what we would have seen with his original opponent, Andre Dirrell. The Super Six has taken its hits, but the tournament is proving to have nine lives.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 