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Oakland, CA - Andre SOG Ward (23-0, 13KO's) was able to secure a victory over the former Contender 3 champion Saiko "the Scorpion" Bika (28-5,19KO's) but not without a fight on his hands this Saturday night.  With a little over 4100 fans in attendance, Ward was possibly in the toughest fight of his career.  Scores were 118-110, 118-110, 120-108.  The lopsided scorecards however are skewed by a tough and rumble showing by the Cameroon fighter.

The fight itself was sloppy at times.  Lots of holding and hitting with Bika trying to turn it into a  brawl rather than a chess match.  Ward did his best to out muscle Bika on the inside while landing the sharper punches from the outside.  “I’m glad to get the victory but I want ...Click for More...

to look spectacular every time out.” Ward said.  “One thing I am happy about is to be able to win in different ways.”

 

 

Fans did not turn out in droves to Oakland as in the Mikkel Kessler fight but promoter Dan Goossen was not too worried.  “Doing this over Thanksgiving weekend I thought the fan support was awesome given we didn’t have the usual 6 to 8 week period to promote,” Goossen said.  “I am very happy with the attendance.”  When asked if the Semi-Final will take place in Oakland, Goossen mentioned that scenario is highly unlikely.  “Sauerland (Arthur Abraham’s promoter) would not come out here to Oakland and we also have a contract that allows both parties to agree to a neutral site.”  A location in Europe is a non-starter for Goossen.  “Andre would like to fight in Vegas and we are going to explore that,” he said.

Saturdays bout was not part of the Super Six Tournament but went on despite Andre Dirrell pulling out.  There were a lot of questions on why Ward would take on a tough fighter like Bika.  Ward had already secured a place in the Super-Six tournament Semi-Final stage.  “We didn’t have to fight Bika, he’s a dangerous guy and people wanted to know why we would fight a guy like that,” Ward said.  “I want to be a great fighter you have to learn how to deal with every style.”

Andre Ward now leads the tournament and is set to face Arthur Abraham while Carl Froch will take on Glen Johnson in early 2011 for the Semi-Final.
Ward said he was not concerned with who won in Europe and will be ready for his next fight with Abraham.  “This was the perfect fight to get ready for a guy like that.”  

The Super Six tournament has taken a toll on fighters like Jermain Taylor and Dirrell dropping out and has met a few surprises.  “Yes the tournament style does take a toll on your body,” Ward said, “but it also gives a fighter a chance to comeback if you lose one fight.”  Ward held up one hand after the press conference and showed some in attendance a swollen left knuckle.  He said he had injured his left hand weeks ago but still went through with the fight.

“The best is yet to come when the semi-finals starts its really going to pick up steam,” Goossen said.  “Think about it, when the tournament was announced who were the favorites?  Abraham and Kessler…Where are they now?  They are at the bottom while Ward is at the top.”

 

Notes:  Andre Ward stated to us that he had hurt his hand prior to this fight.  He showed a swollen left knuckle and decided not to postpone or drop out of his showdown with Bika.  He’ll get it checked out soon….James Prince, Wards manager mentioned that Lucian Bute is definitely in the mix, once the Super Six is over.  Prince says they will keep all options open including a possible showdown with Lucian Bute….Goossen was asked if they would eventually fight Bute in Montreal where they can get 20,000 fans.  Goossen said sure they will eventually fight Bute but, “we can have the same turnout  here (in Oakland)!”….Goossen was also asked where will Ward fight next, he said, “How bout St. Lucia...how would you (boxing writers) like to go there?”  One Boxing writer yelled back, “Are you paying?”

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