Boxing In Australia: Bika, Waters, Egberime Victorious

By Bruce Dingo August 1st, 2009 All Boxing Results

Three good fight cards took place over the last few days and we kick things off with Thursday's show at The Orion Function Centre in Campsie, NSW.

Former two-time super middle world title challenger Sakio Bika, 28-3-2 (19), annihilated chinny Argentine import Nestor Fabian Casanova, 22-15 (9), in the first round to win his sixth bout in a row.

The iron-chinned Cameroon born Sydney resident could be heading for another title challenge and to date has only come up short against Joe Calzaghe, Lucien Bute and Sam Soliman.

Also on the bill, Solomon Egberime, 20-2 (10), retained the Australian light welter title with a ten round unanimous verdict over NSW welter champ Bobby Antonakos, 11-3-1 (3), despite losing a point for low blows in the sixth frame.

On Friday at Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club in Cronulla, NSW, Ryan Waters, 16-2-1 (10), put a 13 bout win streak and the WBO Oriental light middle belt on the line against IBF Australian light middle and former Australian welterweight titlist Shannon McMahon, 16-4-1 (6). More...

Boxing Perspective: A Fire’s Brewing At Super Middleweight

By Aaron King July 10th, 2009 All Boxing Articles

“Renaissance” would be the wrong term to describe what’s happening in the super middleweight division right now. That implies a “rebirth,” but never before has the division seen this depth of talent, and more importantly, a group of talent who actually show interest in fighting one another.

Remember the Roy Jones Jr./Frankie Liles/Steve Little days?

When Joe Calzaghe left the division in late 2007, he left a gaping void at the top. In retrospect, this was something of a blessing—the absence of a champion created a carrot for the line of highly-capable contenders in tow.

What’s beginning to transpire is a novelty at 168. From the amorphous jumble of challengers, some clarity has been gained, namely because they’re starting to get in the ring together.

Showtime is looking to settle the fascinating ambiguities that remain in the super middleweight ranks—more on that later. Let’s take a look at where the division stands at present and where it might be headed. First, a look at the top fighters:

1. Mikkel Kessler (41-1, 31 KO) – “The Viking Warrior” has been out of action for about nine months now and has only taken on two fairly pedestrian foes since losing to Calzaghe in November, 2007. Nonetheless, he still has a belt, is the most accomplished, and his set of skills is the most complete of anyone campaigning at 168.

2. Lucian Bute (24-0, 19 KO) – Title-holder Bute was lucky to get out of the 12th round against Librado Andrade in October, but was in control through most of the fight. Lucky for the rest of us, Andrade and Bute will go at it again sometime this fall. More...

Contender Boxing Champion Sakio Bika Calls Out Bernard Hopkins

By Boxing Press March 14th, 2009 All Press Releases

Current IBO Super Middleweight Champ and Contender Gold Medallist 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 [Hopkins] calling out to Joe Calzaghe, who has retired. I'd say that Joe summed it up nicely in telling me and the media that I am the hardest hitting oppenent he had faced. More...

Boxing Result: Bika Stops Manfredo In Providence

By Richard Eberline November 15th, 2008 All Boxing Results

On Thursday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, RI, super middleweight Sakio Bika finished off local hero Peter Manfredo in three rounds to win the vacant IBO and interim NABF crowns.

From the start, Bika had "The Pride of Providence" on the defensive as the Australian based Cameroon native found a home for his fast, wide and hard punches.

Manfredo began to get the timing of Bika's shots in the second and avoided the punishment of the first round but wasn't able to work an offense into the mix.

Bika stepped on the gas in the third and caught Manfredo with a full-blooded right hand that hurt the Providence native, who couldn't adequately defend himself from Bika's follow-up assault and the bout was stopped at 1:50 of the round.

Bika wins his fifth straight, improving to 27-3-2 (17), while Manfredo drops to 31-6 (16). More...

Boxing Workout: Peter Manfredo - Sakio Bika

By Boxing Press November 11th, 2008 All Press Releases

Click for larger image © Emily Harney

"The Pride of Providence" Peter Manfredo, Jr., with his father/head trainer Peter Manfredo, Sr., and Sakio "The Scorpion" Bika participated in an open media workout at Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. More...

Boxing News: Peter Manfredo Touches Gloves With His Number One Fan

By Boxing Press November 8th, 2008 All Press Releases

© Emily Harney

Peter Manfredo, Jr.helps 12-year-old Cameron Wheeler, of Johnston, RI, put on boxing gloves for the first time this afternoon at Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket, RI. Wheeler, the cousin of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Dan Wheeler, suffers from a rare brain tumor that doctors have tried to remove three times. More...

CES Boxing: Brewer vs. Bundrage Added To “Tough & Tested” Show

By Boxing Press November 7th, 2008 All Press Releases

The Contender, Season Two winner, “Bad Boy” Grady Brewer, and third-place finisher, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, developed a strong friendship when they were teammates on the 2006 television reality series. The bond remains but has been temporarily put aside because Brewer and Bundrage will battle November 13 in a 10-round IBO light middleweight eliminator on the “Tough & Tested” card at the newly renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. More...

CES Boxing: Manfredo vs. Bika In Fight Hotbed Of Providence November 13

By Boxing Press October 24th, 2008 All Press Releases

Unlike in many United States cities today, pro boxing remains alive and strong in Providence, which will host "Tough & Tested" on November 13 at the newly renovated Dunkin' Donuts Center.

Two-time world title challenger "The Pride of Providence" Peter Manfredo, Jr., runner-up in Season One of The Contender, battles Sakio "The Scorpian" Bika, winner of Season Three of The Contender, in the 12-round main event for the IBO super middleweight title. More...

CES Boxing: Manfredo Confident Going Into November 13 Bout Against Bika

By Boxing Press October 18th, 2008 All Press Releases

Two-time world title challenger “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr., runner-up in Season One of The Contender, finds himself training at home in a comfort zone as he prepares for his IBO super middleweight title fight November 13 against Sakio “The Scorpian” Bika, winner of Season Three of The Contender, at the newly renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. More...

CES Boxing: Manfredo vs. Bika For IBO Title November 13

By Boxing Press October 11th, 2008 All Press Releases

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 10 AM/ET, for the November 13 "Tough & Tested" pro boxing show, headlined by an IBO super middleweight title fight between "The Pride of Providence" Peter Manfredo, Jr., runner-up in Season One of The Contender, and Sakio "The Scorpian" Bika, winner of Season Three of The Contender, at the newly renovated Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. More...