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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.
“This has obviously spooked him [Hopkins] as he doesn’t want to know nothing about me. I gave Joe more trouble than B-Hop, so why not fight me?
“Are you [Hopkins] scared? Instead of calling out a champ who has retired, take me on and you will join Joe in retirement. B-Hop was my idol 10 years ago, but he is a long long way from the Executioner of old. Bernard knows if he faces me, it will be his last fight because I wont just beat him, I will knock him out”.
Sakio’s promoter, Contender Executive Director Jeff Wald, confirmed that it appears there’s a lack of takers and went on to say, “Sakio struggles in his home country where no one will fight him.
“We have challenged pretender Anthony Mundine, who Sakio virtually chased out of the division and wants to know nothing about him. I have spoken to Golden Boy regarding a potential showdown between Bernard Hopkins, Jeff Lacey or Librado Andrade, and no takers there either”.
USA based Aussie Matchmaker Stua
rt Duncan has advised Sakio at various stages of his career and spent time with him LA two weeks ago, saying, “Sakio wants to fight the winner of Froch vs. Taylor or a rematch with [Lucian] Bute. He’d love to fight [Mikkel] Kessler but is dubious about travelling to Germany, where its impossible to get a decision.
“He’d fight Kessler in a heartbeat in any country other than Germany, the same with [Karoly] Balszay. Sakio’s crowd pleasing style is popular with both the fans and the broadcasters and the only reason a Hopkins fight wont happen is because of Bernard. This would have the potential to be fight of the year without a doubt. Bernard has been a true champion of the sport – no two ways about it – it would be a shame to see him ducking and weaving prior to retirement. I’m sure that’s not the way his fans would like to see him go.
“Jeff Lacey is another [fighter] on the radar, but we’re doubtful anything will come from those enquiries after Sakio systematically destroyed Peter Manfredo in three rounds – something he [Lacey] couldn’t do in 10 rounds. According to Sam Soliman, who faced Sakio twice, ‘Sakio is a monster with a thunderous punch and will be a nightmare for anyone in the division’.
