How Far Can Bika Go?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 17 Oct 2006, 08:52

I felt Bika did pretty well over the last 4 rounds against Calzaghe. He's still raw and it would've done wonders to put him in that super middle tournament for young fighters. But he looks like one of the physically strongest super middles I've ever seen, and with a bit of polish he can go places.

I like his chances against any aggressive fighter right now. Would be interesting to see how he fares against Andrade, Lacy or Bute.

Although he lost quite widely, he came through unscathed and I think he definitely has something. You'd think that if he fought someone who wasn't extremely fast that he'd punc more freely and effectively (and let's not forget that he was going to beat Beyer up).

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 17 Oct 2006, 08:57

Terence wrote:Geoff Capes was physically strong but he would not go far in boxing.

I was at the fight Saturday, all excuses aside Bika is 0-1-1 as a supermiddle and it is easy to see why, the guy did not even have the basic sense to throw a left hook after his right hand. He just winged the shots from a splayed-legged stance.

He is going nowhere.

Sure, but it's easy to do badly against a skilled southpaw. Especially one that wants to clinch. I mean, does that mean Jeff Lacy is going nowhere? There are a lot of hittable fighters in the division, & let's not forget, he was doing well vs Beyer. Obviously Bika needs bringing along slowly, but IMO he might be better than he looked Saturday.

One thing is certain. He's not a blown up middle. The weight suits him.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 17 Oct 2006, 09:08

Bika is a tough man, but doesn't have the skills to beat any of the top rated boxers at supermiddle, the only way he would be able to beat someone is if the champion came in out of condition, like Harris v Maussa.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 17 Oct 2006, 09:10

Bika wasn't great and although strong, isn't going to defeat anyone in the top 10 in a hurry. As Terance said, Calzaghe wasn't using his skills, he was piss poor against a fairly limited but strong and wild fighter. Throw him in with someone who puts some weight behind their shots and see how good his chin is.

If Calzaghe's hands are that bad I can understand the performance but lets called a spade and spade where Bika is concerned

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 17 Oct 2006, 09:23

Although Bika yet again exposed the weakness in Joe to the straight right hand, I'm afraid his corner were better than him. They were PLEADING with him to constantly throw the straight right hand, he only did it for two rounds and they were possibly the most convincing rounds won (by either him OR Joe).

Yes, it can be seen as predicable, Joe cannot do anything about it. Even when Joe doesn't take it flush, he doesn't come back with punches - either just runs back (beyond Bika's or his own punch range) or clinches. He doesn't seem to know how to counter it.

The left hook is the ideal punch to follow it up, but Bika should have been throwing that combination (ALWAYS starting with the straight right hand) all the time. His left jab is slow and poor, everytime Bika decided to jab, Calzaghe would counter.

As far as how far Bika would go - he has time on his side, but I cannot see him going much further. I would say MOST in the top 10-15 would beat him.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 17 Oct 2006, 10:00

Yes, Calzaghe was a bit amateurish by going in trading. I was very disappointed with him doing that - with his head leaning forward. It was foolish & it really spoiled some of the better moves he pulled off. But after watching it again, it wasn't as bad. When he stuck to the jab, used some feints, and sank in lefts to the body he looked very good. He still won a wide decision & that is what's expected.

When a fighter is on the back foot most of the time, it is harder to follow through, if they are covering up. Bika is relatively cagey and can cover up competently. So maybe that's one reason Calzaghe looked so messy. Also, SB is very strong in the clinches. IF he could sharpen up with his shots, he could do better. That's why I put him a level above Salem, Ashira etc - who definitely aren't going anywhere. He's a tremendous specimen, if nothing else.

It was going to be very hard for Bika to throw left hooks, never mind jabs. Calzaghe had command of his own right side. Being a southpaw, that is expected. Bika wanted to beat him with the right, but didn't really land any until the final third of the fight.

Definitely, to beat a southpaw you have to get out of that comfort zone and take command with your own left side (and then follow through with the right after). It is very uncomfortable to do that and many fighters cannot function that way. When Calzaghe popped out the jab, or used feints, or circled right, Bika might as well have had a stroke on his left side (for want of a less offensive simile). The only activity on his left side was to parry JC's jabs. I'm not trying to talk Bika up - he WASN'T as good as I hoped. But I would like to see him against a straight forward fighter.

Calzaghe could have put on a 12 round clinic. Instead, he made things very hard on himself, succeptible to fouls etc.

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 17 Oct 2006, 10:01

Surely a natural fight would be Mundine Vs Bika given they've both moved between the weights.
I think Mundine would box his head off though.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 17 Oct 2006, 10:02

Would you put your champion in with him?

2 fights 5 headbuts and a nifty smack in the knackers. Good luck getting fights from here on in.

"who shall we have as a next defence, the chinny guy from bulgaria, the average yank, or that headbutting cameroonian"

On the other hand Kessler Bikka anyone

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 17 Oct 2006, 10:03

Deserter wrote:Surely a natural fight would be Mundine Vs Bika given they've both moved between the weights.
I think Mundine would box his head off though.

Funny you mention that, he's called out Mundine.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 17 Oct 2006, 11:16

Terence wrote:
viciousmaussa wrote:Yes, Calzaghe was a bit amateurish by going in trading. I was very disappointed with him doing that - with his head leaning forward. It was foolish & it really spoiled some of the better moves he pulled off. But after watching it again, it wasn't as bad. When he stuck to the jab, used some feints, and sank in lefts to the body he looked very good. He still won a wide decision & that is what's expected.

When a fighter is on the back foot most of the time, it is harder to follow through, if they are covering up. Bika is relatively cagey and can cover up competently. So maybe that's one reason Calzaghe looked so messy. Also, SB is very strong in the clinches. IF he could sharpen up with his shots, he could do better. That's why I put him a level above Salem, Ashira etc - who definitely aren't going anywhere. He's a tremendous specimen, if nothing else.

It was going to be very hard for Bika to throw left hooks, never mind jabs. Calzaghe had command of his own right side. Being a southpaw, that is expected. Bika wanted to beat him with the right, but didn't really land any until the final third of the fight.

Definitely, to beat a southpaw you have to get out of that comfort zone and take command with your own left side (and then follow through with the right after). It is very uncomfortable to do that and many fighters cannot function that way. When Calzaghe popped out the jab, or used feints, or circled right, Bika might as well have had a stroke on his left side (for want of a less offensive simile). The only activity on his left side was to parry JC's jabs. I'm not trying to talk Bika up - he WASN'T as good as I hoped. But I would like to see him against a straight forward fighter.

Calzaghe could have put on a 12 round clinic. Instead, he made things very hard on himself, succeptible to fouls etc.
Yeah, I put that in my fight report, I didn't check the forum for a few days and was pleased to see a few like-minded thoughts about a number of issues surrounding the fight. I thought he was going to use that shot to set-up the second best combo a SP can throw at a sturdy/limited guy - the good ol' straight left to the body, right hook to the head, straight left to the head and right hook to the body.

Ashira did have a place to go, it is called light-middleweight.

You mean welterweight, don't you? I think that's where Ashira had his last fight.

To answer my own question, I think Bika should gun for the Commonwealth title. I think he was Oz middleweight champ, & he strong enough to win domestic type belts and get some decent money. Who knows, if he learns some skills on the way we might see him over here again, putting on some good shows ala Munyai, ASsiku, Olusegun.

Andy Mac · Post by **Andy Mac** » 17 Oct 2006, 16:28

I think Bika can go as far as it says on the ticket.

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 18 Oct 2006, 06:43

Bika will go into any fight at this level knowing he can’t get stopped or Ko’d because he is made of iron. That in itself will give him confidence.

But it’s another thing converting that into wins at Top 10 level.
His punch output is low and his technique is flawed. He lacks real power to trouble good opposition. And he is always likely to lose points for fouls.

So I don’t see him as a future champ unless he makes improvements. It’s possible, but I don’t see it.

Flump · Post by **Flump** » 18 Oct 2006, 07:44

He'll be the Lovemore N'Dou of the division, the gatekeeper.