Andre Ward Overcomes Sakio Bika Test in Oakland
by Brickhaus on Nov 27, 2010 11:52 PM EST
in Boxing Results and Post-Fight Analysis
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In Oakland, California, Andre Ward retained his super middleweight title with a twelve-round decision over "The Scorpion" Sakio Bika.
As many expected, this was an extremely dirty, yet entertaining, brawl with the majority of the fight taking place while the two fighters wrestled and jockeyed for position on the inside. While Ward had been able to bully his last couple opponents, he was unable to do so against the very strong Bika, who is well known for his own brutal tactics. Bika often looked the stronger man on the inside, and generally was the more active fighter, going 201 for 612 with his punches, although Ward was much more precise with his shots, landing 235 of the 398 punches he threw.
In the early rounds, Bika gave Ward a lot of problems. The two wrangled and wrestled on the inside, and while Ward is certainly no stranger to inside fighting, Bika forced a new dimension of toughness out of him that we hadn't seen before. Whenever one fighter pulled a dirty trick, the other soon retaliated. With tons of holding and hitting, rabbit punching, elbows, headbutts and hitting off the break, the referee mostly let the fight go on with its normal flow, choosing not to penalize the fighters. As the fight wore on, Ward began to take better control on the inside and look far more confident from the outside. Ward clearly won most of the rounds in the latter half of the fight, as Bika's workrate began to slow down and Ward continued to land at a more accurate pace. By the end of the fight, both men had multiple cuts and looked worse for wear.
Officially, the scores were very wide, with one judge inexcusably scoring it a shutout, and two others scoring the bout 118-110. Bad Left Hook officially scored the bout a close but very clear 115-113 for Ward, although the 118-110 scores were perfectly reasonable considering how close many of the rounds were. In any case, the official scores were not reflective of how close nearly every round in the first half of the fight was.
So now the first round of the Super Six is complete, and we know a lot more about Andre Ward now than we did a few fights ago. In his first bout against Mikkel Kessler, we learned that he could bully another fighter and use his versatility to befuddle a straightforward opponent. In his second bout against Allan Green, we learned that he won't let up or lose his concentration even when he has his opponent clearly outgunned. After this fight, easily the toughest of his career so far, we learned that Ward is able to maintain composure under pressure and make positive adjustments even when his opponent doesn't have an ounce of quit in him.
In the next round, assuming everything goes according to plan, we'll get to see Ward face Arthur Abraham. Let's see what we learn about him next time out.
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Ward close decision but fails to impress
One judge scored it 120-108 no one can win on points in Oakland.I wonder What fighter would go to fight on Oakland with these kind on scorecards.The fight was close I agree with Bad Left Hook score card 115-113 .Ward used a lot his head and elbows. He leans down he is vulnerable to uppercuts Bika didnt land uppercuts.I hope Bika fights Andrade next would be a nice fight between 2 brawlers.Ward will school Abraham.
It's hard to look good against Bika
But Ward definitely impressed me in the second half with his accurate punching and ability to control the fight. I think that his leading with his head is the only issue preventing me from becoming a huge fan. It was funny to see them land head butts at the same time though.
by Polish Rifle on Nov 28, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
I think Abraham leaves this competition before the next round
Dirrell schooled him, Froch shut him out and now he faces the best fighter in the tournament and will almost certainly face more of the same. Time to cut your losses and get back to Germany, Arthur.. In my mind his stock has fallen the most of all the original competitors, Taylor included
In my mind his stock has fallen the most of all the original competitors, Taylor included
When I first read this, I was like, eh, but on second thought, I think I agree with you. Taylor’s stock had already fallen and had less drop room than AA’s.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 30, 2010 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
No passion, maybe?
I don't take personal insults well. My wires are such so that when it happens, i'm not going to put on head gear, lace up the gloves and put in the mouthpiece. I'm going to drop the gloves and just let the adrenaline take off.
I feel something severe about his personality, as well as subtly arrogant. Cold. Probably an injustice, not really able to know, but that’s how he comes across to me.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
I think anyone who gives himself the nickname “Son of God” has to be just a bit egotistical and arrogant,although i know he doesn’t mean it in a “Second Coming” kind of way,i still think it’s inappropriate.
As far as fightig abilities go,he’s obviously effective and has talent there but i’m not that big a fan,mainly because of his spoiling,roughouse tactics.He’s done well so far but he’s also fought fighters a bit below his level,apart from Kessler.
I’ll be interested to see how he does against Bute and Froch.
by Matt Mosley on Nov 30, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Ward definitely won but the scorecards were ridiculously one sided.
Watching on the replay this morning it had it 116-113 Ward,7-4-1 even in rounds.
Get him out of Oakland.
Full disclosure: born & raised in the East Bay
So you guys might think I’m biased, but I don’t think 120-108 is the travesty some of you are making it out to be. I was there live and Bika definitely won some of the earlier rounds but all the rounds I gave Bika were so close I could’ve seen them going to Ward. Not sure why there’s such a huge sentiment that he’s been gifted with hometown judges, this is the only fight he’s had in Oakland where the judging seemed really out of wack. He dominated Miranda, Kessler, and Green so thoroughly I don’t think any of the scores for those fights were really outlandish. And outside of Oakland he isn’t going to be nearly as big of a draw (although the attendance for this last fight did seem pretty low).
The boxing community’s reaction/impression of Ward is interesting to me. His style isn’t going to win him many style points but he’s showed a lot of toughness that his early critics wanted to see. He didn’t have to take on Bika after Dirrell dropped out but he did. I believe Ward when he says he wants to take on the best, and I think having a young, skilled fighter who wins and wants to take on all challengers is good for boxing.
I like this assessment.
I’m not sure where the whole “Ward is always getting gifts from the judges” sentiment is coming from either. I thought the official BLH card was too close. I gave Bika two or three rounds tops on my card.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 30, 2010 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
Scored it 120-108--
No judge am I though
I am climbing off the Arthur bandwagon
Was stupid to mount the sucker to begin with as he was always what he is, and that was clear on 1st watching him
Great fight!!
Possibly closer than 120-108 but the way Ward beat Bika in a physical fight was impressive…don’t really care to see him fight Abraham….bring on Froch then Lucian Bute
I watched it this morning finally and had it 116-112. Ward was the clear winner. I still don’t consider myself an “Andre Ward fan” and it appears less and less likely I ever will, but he impresses me every time out. He really needs to fight outside of Oakland, though. If he does win the Super Six and Bute stays unbeaten I hope everyone’s ready for them to not fight each other.
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