WBC super middleweight champion Sakio "The Scorpion" Bika (32-5, 21 KO) isn't the most fundamentally sound fighter. Nevertheless, the 34-year-old Cameroonian, who now calls Australia home, has ascended to a world championship.
He won the vacant title by majority decision over Marco Antonio Periban in June. Opposing Bika on Saturday will be Anthony "The Dog" Dirrell (26-0, 22 KO). He is the younger brother of super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell. The Dog has established an impressive beginning to his career, but Bika is definitely a step-up in competition.
The bout is part of a huge four-fight card from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday. The main event features Zab Judah battling Paulie Malignaggi, but there are two other title bouts on tap. IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander will defend his title against Shawn Porter.
Austin Trout will also take on slick Cuban Erislandy Lara for the vacant WBA super middleweight title. It is awesome when champions in the same weight class fight on the same card. It can easily be a precursor to a bout. Could the winner of Bika-Dirrell face the winner of Lara-Trout? We shall see, but for now, here's how you can watch this exciting card.
When: Saturday, Dec 7 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
TV: Showtime
The Book on Bika and Dirrell
Finally Champion
Bika has been fighting professionally for 13 years. He's faced the likes of Sam Soliman, Joe Calzaghe, Lucian Bute, Peter Manfredo, Jr., Andre Ward and Jean-Paul Mendy. The only one of the aforementioned fighters Bika has beaten is Manfredo, Jr., though he had dropped Mendy before he was disqualified for hitting him while he was down.
It has been a long journey for Bika, but he finally captured the world title that had eluded him in June. The win over Periban obviously wasn't the victory over a major name he'd like, but it resulted in a world title nonetheless.
Beating Dirrell won't get him a great deal of respect, but it could set up another opportunity to fight a bigger name in the sport.
Completing the Comeback and Making His Own Name
Anthony is looking to be known as something more than Andre's little brother. Though he hasn't faced any opponents of note, his 84.62 KO percentage implies he has big-time power. The 29-year-old Flint, Mich. native has an opportunity to make a major name for himself in this fight.
He told Eric Woodyard of MLive.com: "I'm going to go in and do what I need to do to win. I'm experienced too. I've been doing it twenty years. I just know I'm an athlete I can do it all. That's my plan, do what I want to do."
Bika will not cooperate with Dirrell's game plan, but we'll see if he can force him into submission.
Per Woodyard, Dirrell has overcome several obstacles in his route to this title shot. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. A situation of mistaken identity had him arrested and locked up for a night in 2008. Lastly, he was in a motorcycle accident in 2012.
Despite all those potentially life, and career-threatening events, Dirrell has persevered. Heart and will should not be an issue for him on Saturday night.
Prediction
Dirrell has the length, athleticism and dexterity to defeat Bika. The key to the fight will be poise. If he can keep his distance, he'll be able to utilize his massive 3.5" reach advantage (74.5" to 71"). Bika is awkward and a bit wild. His aggression can disturb the rhythm of opponents.
At some points, he seemed to even give Ward some issues in their bout. If Dirrell stays composed during Bika's assaults, he can win this fight by decision.
Dirrell is going to become one of the biggest stories at the end of the year by completing his comeback with a unanimous decision victory.
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