BoxRec

Current IBO Super Middleweight Champ & Contender Gold Medalist Sakio Bika spoke out this week about his frustration at the lack of challengers. Speaking from his home in Sydney Australia Bika had this to say. “I read about Bernard calling out to Joe Calzaghe who has retired – I say that Joe summed it up nicely in telling me & the media that I am the hardest hitting oppnent he had faced. This has obviously spooked him as he doesn’t want to know nothing about me. I gave Joe more troubles than B-Hop so why not fight me ? Are you scared ? Instead of calling out a Champ who has retired take me on and you will join Joe in retirement. B-Hop was my idol 10 years ago but he is a long long way from the Executioner of old. Bernard knows if he faces me it will be his last fight because I wont just beat him I will knock him out”.

Sakio’s promoter Contender Executive Director Jeff Wald confirmed that it appears theres a lack of takers and went on to say “Sakio struggles in his home country where no one will fight him – we have challenged pretender Anthony Mundine who Sakio virtually chased out of the division and wants to know nothing about him – I have spoken to Golden Boy regarding a potential showdown between Bernard Hopkins – Jeff Lacey or Librado Andrade, and no takers there either”.

USA based Aussie Matchmaker Stuart Duncan has advised Sakio at various stages of his career and spent time with him LA 2 weeks ago stated “Sakio wants to fight the winner of Froch Taylor or a rematch with Bute. He’d love to fight Kessler but is dubious about travelling to Germany where its impossible to get a decision. He’d fight Kessler in a heartbeat in any country other than Germany the same with Balszay. Sakio’s crowd pleasing style is popular with both the fans & the broadcasters and the olny reason a Hopkins fight wont happen is because of Bernard. This would have the potential to be fight of the year without a doubt. Bernard has been a true champion of the sport – no two ways about it – it would be a shame to see him ducking & weaving prior to retirement. Im sure that’s not the way his fans would like to see him go. Jeff Lacey is another on the radar but we’re doubtful anything will come from those enquiries after Sakio systematically destroyed Peter Manfredo in 3 rounds – something he couldn’t do in 10 rounds. According to Sam Soliman who faced Sakio twice “Sakio is a monster with a thunderous punch and will be a nightmare for anyone in the division”

Sounds like it would be a good fight.

I'd like to see it, or any of the other fighters mentioned.

Just fight someone Bika!!!!!!

Hounddog wrote:I'd like to see it, or any of the other fighters mentioned.

Just fight someone Bika!!!!!!

fully agree. Even a stay busy fight would not detract from a long term payday. He needs to keep his name in lights.

toppity wrote:

Hounddog wrote:I'd like to see it, or any of the other fighters mentioned.

Just fight someone Bika!!!!!!

fully agree. Even a stay busy fight would not detract from a long term payday. He needs to keep his name in lights.

I'll third that!

By the way, I heard that allegedly sued Joe Calzaghe for some breach of a verbal contract Joe was supposed to have made for another fight. Frankie Boy could not convince the judge he had a case and had to pay Joe a stack of money in unpaid prizemoney for the Hopkins fight.

How the hell do you enforce a verbal agreement? In the words of the late Samuel Goldwyn "It ain't worth the paper it's written on."

Nice to see the boxer win one of these shitfights. DD

Lucian Bute is looking for an opponent for a fight in June. The fight would be on Showtime.

Maybe Bika's people should contact Bute's team or Showtime.

Maxime wrote:Lucian Bute is looking for an opponent for a fight in June. The fight would be on Showtime.

Maybe Bika's people should contact Bute's team or Showtime.

seems like an opportunity, but he may not want to go over old ground?

toppity wrote:

Maxime wrote:Lucian Bute is looking for an opponent for a fight in June. The fight would be on Showtime.

Maybe Bika's people should contact Bute's team or Showtime.

seems like an opportunity, but he may not want to go over old ground?

For Bute, he would gain more exposure from a fight this time. Bika's profile and reputation has increased considerably since they last fought.

Hounddog wrote:I'd like to see it, or any of the other fighters mentioned.

Just fight someone Bika!!!!!!

If Bika called Hopkins out he is hardly avoiding him. Sounds like it is up to Bernard to accept the challenge. After all, as a partner in the Golden Boy outfit he is his own promoter. Bika does not have that luxury.

Brute wrote:

Hounddog wrote:I'd like to see it, or any of the other fighters mentioned.

Just fight someone Bika!!!!!!

If Bika called Hopkins out he is hardly avoiding him. Sounds like it is up to Bernard to accept the challenge. After all, as a partner in the Golden Boy outfit he is his own promoter. Bika does not have that luxury.

Nah mate, i was talking about his inactivity, i don't believe Bika will avoid anyone.

Brute wrote:By the way, I heard that allegedly allegedly sued Joe Calzaghe for some breach of a verbal contract Joe was supposed to have made for another fight. Frankie Boy could not convince the judge he had a case and had to pay Joe a stack of money in unpaid prizemoney for the Hopkins fight.

How the hell do you enforce a verbal agreement? In the words of the late Samuel Goldwyn "It ain't worth the paper it's written on."

Nice to see the boxer win one of these shitfights. DD

I heard he sued him for making him sign contract under duress. Apparently Frank made him sign when he was cutting weight and after heavy training session when Joe wasn't think straight... There must have been something to it for teh judge to award him four million odd dollars!

It was announced today that Bika turned down a fight with against Jean Pascal in Montreal in June.

He said he wants to get a rematch against Bute.

Pascal fights Nievas on the 29th of next month.

Him challenging Bika sounds like a beat up.

I think Bika should fight Carl Froch that would be an intresting fight and he may very well win

Brute wrote:Pascal fights Nievas on the 29th of next month.

Him challenging Bika sounds like a beat up.

huh... actually it makes a lot of sense.

Why would Pascal take on a dangerous opponent in a tune up fight in April if he plans on fighting a guy on the level of Bika in June?

Nievas is nothing more then a tune up. the June fight should be against a credible opponent.

Maxime wrote:

Brute wrote:Pascal fights Nievas on the 29th of next month.

Him challenging Bika sounds like a beat up.

huh... actually it makes a lot of sense.

Why would Pascal take on a dangerous opponent in a tune up fight in April if he plans on fighting a guy on the level of Bika in June?

Nievas is nothing more then a tune up. the June fight should be against a credible opponent.

I hope they fight, Bika needs to fight at least every 2 to 3 months.
Since the contender final, he's fought 2 guys at a total of 4 rounds, and that was over 18 months ago.