Andre Ward Speaks to the Media About Upcoming Bout With Sakio Bika

Added on Nov 09, 2010 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

Earlier today at a press conference Andre Ward spoke with the local media regarding his stage three bout in Showtime’s Super Six World Boxing Classic where he makes the second defense of his WBA Super Middleweight Championship against Sakio Bika at the Oracle Arena in his hometown of Oakland on November 27.

With his eleventh round technical decision over Mikkel Kessler to win the WBA strap in the opening round along with his second stage boxing clinic against replacement fighter Allan Green, Ward has already secured his spot in the tournament’s semi-finals. Still, Ward wants nothing more than to end the round robin portion with an impressive performance over Bika.

“I am going to do what I do except a little bit better. Sakio has never been stopped. It would be great to get a stoppage in this fight,” Ward stated.

As much as Ward would like to provide his hometown fans with an exciting performance, it was very clear that he was just happy to finally have the chance to get back in the squared circle and do what he does best. Prior to the Bika fight coming together, Ward had been scheduled, on two different occasions, to take on good friend and fellow American participant, Andre Dirrell during the third stage bout.

After Ward’s promoter Dan Goossen securing the Oracle Arena in Wards hometown as the venue for his first two tournament bouts, it was agreed upon that the bout with Dirrell would take place at a neutral site. Unfortunately, as the bout drew nearer a venue was never named ultimately pushing the bout back. Once things seemed to be falling into place Dirrell regrettably announced his withdrawal from the tourney citing an injury, all the while leaving Ward in the lurch until Bika was called upon to save the day, and possibly the life of the life of the tournament.

“I sometimes get a little impatient because I want it to move forward. It gets frustrating but Showtime and Goossen Tutor Promotions keep working to continue with the tournament and I have to recognize and applause their perseverance.

“There have been many twists and turns but we are still here and ready for our next opponent,” the champion added.

Despite spending so much time training for a completely different fighter in Dirrell, the always professional Ward appeared confident that the opponent change isn’t a cause for concern and knows what to expect from the Australian based challenger on November 27.

“Sakio Bika is the same fighter as when he fought Lucian Bute. His fighting style has awarded him a lot of merit and respect for his grittiness. I’m not going to call him (Bika) a dirty fighter but he tends to get frustrated and react. I know to expect that.”

He added, “Bika will come full steam ahead with wild punches. I am going to continue to do what I do and that is a little bit of everything. Just like when I fought (Allan) Green. We had a plan to fight on the inside but it ended up being a closed combat and I had to adjust. With Bika, depending on what he does I’ll know how to adjust and what I need to do.”

Ward’s last fight with Green was a bit of a surprise due to the fact that Green, normally an exciting fighter maintained a workrate that left a lot to be desired. Bika should present much more of a challenge to Ward.

Regardless of what Bika decides to do come fight night, you can expect the undefeated Ward to do whatever it takes to keep that world title in the city of Oakland.