Andre Ward’s WBA title defense against Sakio Bika next month will not take place in Stage Three of Showtime’s Super Six Boxing Classic.
The network and representatives Ward’s promoter were scrambling for an opponent after Andre Dirrell was forced to pull out due to lingering headaches and dizziness associated with post-concussion syndrome. Dirrell and Ward were scheduled to meet on November 27 after receiving a legal ultimantum from Showtime to finalize the bout. The pair had previously failed to meet in late September due to a contract dispute.
Andre Dirrell’s withdrawal does have consequences that may give Ward a decided edge in determinijng the Super Six winner. Showtime will award Andre Ward two points for Dirrell’s forfeit, giving him a total of six points heading into the semi-finals next year. At press time, Ward’s closest competitor is Arthur Abraham, who secured three points last year with a KO of Jermain Taylor. If Abraham wins another three points by knocking out Carl Froch, he would win a tie-breaker for the #1 seed courtesy of his two KO wins.
Should Bika upset Ward, he would win the WBA title, and possibly be seen as viable opponent to unify with IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute. Bute is not in the Super Six, and just defended his title successfully with a KO over Jesse Brinkley last Friday (October 15). Andre Ward would still be able to continue in the Super Six without his title.
Two Super Six Stage Three bouts will air in November. Allan Green faces Glen Johnson on November 6. Arthur Abraham versus Carl Froch joins Ward-Bika on November 27 as a double-header.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 