Brian O. Blake’s Boxing Weekend Wrap Up

Added on Nov 30, 2010 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

Andre Ward def. Sakio Bika (Unanimous Decision – 120-108, 118-110, 118-110)

Undefeated WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (23-0, 13 KOs) proved on Saturday night that he can do more than just make people miss and pile up the points. He was in for a rough night against stage three tournament challenger Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika who made Ward earn every bit of his check for the first half of the fight, even opening up a cut over the champion’s left eye.

However, Ward was in the zone and controlled the fight from the seventh round on. Bika (28-5-2, 19 KOs) had a bit of a rally late as he landed some hard shots momentarily hurting Ward, but it proved to be too little too late as Ward had already had the fight won on all three judges scorecards.

With the win Ward enters the semi-final round as the tournament leader with six points and will face the hard hitting Arthur Abraham sometime next year, with March being mentioned as a possibility by Ward’s promoter Dan Goossen.

Carl Froch def. Arthur Abraham (Unanimous Decision – 120-108, 120-108, 119-109)

After losing his WBC Super Middleweight title in his last fight, Carl “The Cobra” Froch once again claimed it with a surprisingly one sided decision over Arthur Abraham in Finland.

In what was the most impressive win of his career, Froch(27-1, 20 KOs) used his size advantage to keep Abraham from getting inside and landing anything of substance over the course of twelve rounds. Using his jab to set the pace, Froch was able to land and get out of the away of anything that Abraham had to counter.

Just as Bika did with Ward, Abraham finished the fight off with one of his stronger rounds that may or may not have been enough to be scored in his favor.

With the win, Froch secured not only the WBC crown, but a semi-final berth against tournament late comer Glen Johnson while Abraham (31-2, 25 KOs), who has now lost two bouts in a row, will take on Andre Ward as previously mentioned.

Juan Manuel Marquez def. Michael Katsidis (9th Round TKO, 2:14)

Unified Lightweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez battled back from a third round scare to defeat the game Michael Katsidis in the ninth round of their fight of the year candidate championship tilt at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 37 year old Marquez (52-5-1, 37 KOs) proved just why he is still considered one of the best fighters in the world today, especially at the lightweight limit. Katisidis, who lost his brother just over a month ago, once again proved to be one of boxing’s gutsiest warriors.

Both combatants stood toe to toe and traded for nine thrilling rounds with Katsidis (27-3, 22 KOs) landing a huge left hook to floor Marquez. As hard as Katsidis tried to finish it then and there, Marquez was able to make it through the round. The end came six rounds later as veteran ref Kenny Bayless called a halt to the bout at the just over two minutes into the ninth stanza as he deemed the still standing Aussie defenseless.

Andre Berto def. Freddie Hernandez (1st Round TKO, 2:07)

There’s not a say about this one as WBC Welterweight Champion Andre Berto simply walked through challenger Freddie Hernandez in just over two minutes.

Berto came out strong and immediately dropped the challenger with a crushing right hand than made it past the gloves of Hernandez (29-2, 20 KOs).

With the win, the undefeated Berto (27-0, 21 KOs) will hopefully graduate to some of the sport’s more established foes.

Jason Litzau def. Celestino Caballero (Split Decision – 97-93 Litzau, 96-94 Litzau, 96-94 Caballero)

In what was by far the biggest upset of the evening’s televised bouts, junior lightweight Jason Litzau scored a surprising ten round split decision over former junior featherweight champion Celestino Caballero.

While Caballero landed more throughout the fight, it was Litzau who landed with more authority. After initially failing to make weight, the normally relentless style that Caballero normally displays wasn’t evident against the 13-1 underdog.