PREDICTION PAGE: Ward-Bika………Who Do Ya Like?

OAKLAND>’S WBA WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE WARD & WORLD CONTENDER SAKIO BIKA FINAL WEIGH IN RESULTS AND CAPTIONS

Judges: Hunter Walton, Tacoma, Wash.

Marty Sammon, Santa Clara, Calif.

Jon Schorle, El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Referee:Dan Stell of Vacaville, Calif.

Weights: Andre Ward 168.0 pounds even; Sakio Bika 168.0 pounds even.

OAKLAND, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2010)–WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward and World Contender Sakio Bika both landed on the exact 168-pound weight mark on Friday, one day before their world title clash on Saturday, Nov. 27 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. Oakland’s Ward will make the second defense of his World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight championship against world-ranked contender Bika, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Ward (22-0, 13 KOs), who has already secured a berth in the Semifinals of the SHOWTIME Super Six World Boxing Classic, will be making the second defense of his 168-pound title. The 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and tournament points-leader will face the tough Bika, (28-4-2, 19 KOs) of Sydney, Australia, via Douala, Cameroon.

The World Championship night of boxing will begin at 4 p.m. featuring undefeated Mexican Jr. middleweight and 2008 US Olympian Javier Molina (4-0, 4 KOs), Sacramento’s undefeated lightweight Stan Martyniouk (10-0, 1KO), Houston’s power-punching Cornelius White (15-0, 14 KOs), plus four other bouts with the main event featuring Oakland’s finest starting at approximately 7 p.m.

Tickets are priced at $150, $75 and $35 are on sale now at the Oracle Box Office or visit www.coliseum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Goossen Tutor Promotions and TNT Boxing are promoting this night of World Championship boxing, with the championship bout in association with Golden Boy Promotions, the promoter for Bika.

In the first bout of the split-site doubleheader on SHOWTIME, former world championsKing Arthur Abraham (31-1, 25 KOs) of GermanyandCarl TheCobra Froch (26-1, 20 KOs) of England will battle in the final Group Stage 3 bout of the Super Six World Boxing Classic. from Helsinki, Finland.

Here’s some of what the fighters had to say on Friday:

ANDRE WARD:

“I had a date to fight and I wanted to keep it. I wanted to choose the next best available boxer and we did that with Sakio Bika. Plus, there weren’t a lot of other options.

“I’m a competitor. I don’t like to lose at anything be it pickup basketball or a game of cards with my family. But they all like to beat me because of it. Even my family conspires to beat me at cards.

“Boxing is one of the only sports that if you’re pinned with one loss your pay scale definitely decreases. It’s important for me and my family that I get this win tomorrow night.

“I don’t care who wins tomorrow night’s first fight on SHOWTIME (between Abraham and Froch). I’m so locked into my own. I won’t even ask and I don’t care if anyone tells me. It doesn’t matter. I’ve never been so focused for a fight as I am for this one.

SAKIO BIKA:

“We have studied what we need to do and we just have to do it. We have to do stuff that other fighters have not been able to do.

“We are not going to be like the other fighters he’s faced and go for the knockout. We just want to go for the win.

“People have labeled me a rough and tough fighter, even a dirty fighter. I will show that I can truly box and that I belong with the elite of this sport.

“Andre Ward is a champion. He wants to remain a champion. It’s my job to disrupt that and shake up the Super Six by pinning him with his first loss.

“I didn’t even watch him weigh in. I didn’t need to check him out. I’ve seen him before. I know what he looks like.

OAKLAND, Calif.(Nov. 24, 2010)– World Boxing Association(WBA) super middleweight champion Andre “S.O.G. Ward and world contender Sakio “The Scorpion Bika met with local Bay Area media members on Wednesday to discuss their anticipated world title fight just three days away.

It will be the second consecutive defense of his world title for the local fighter Ward (22-0, 13 KOs), who will have his hands full against Bika(28-4-2, 19 KOs) of Sydney, Australia, via Douala, Cameroon on Saturday, Nov. 27, live on SHOWTIME (live at 9 p.m. ET/PT).

In the first fight of the split-site doubleheader, “King Arthur Abraham will meet Carl “The Cobra Froch in the final Group Stage 3 bout of tournament for the vacant WBC super middleweight world title. The world title match will be televised on same-day-delay from the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland.

The Oracle Arena in Oakland will be the site of the World Championship night of boxing which will begin at 4 p.m. featuring undefeated Jr. middleweight and 2008 US Olympian Javier Molina (4-0, 4 KOs), Sacramento’s undefeated lightweight Stan Martyniouk (10-0, 1KO), Houston’s power-punching Cornelius White (15-0, 14 KOs), plus four other bouts with the main event featuring Oakland’s finest starting at approximately 7 p.m.

Tickets are priced at $150, $75 and $35 are on sale now at the Oracle Box Office or visit www.coliseum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Goossen Tutor Promotions and TNT Boxing are promoting this night of World Championship boxing, with the championship bout in association with Golden Boy Promotions, the promoter for Bika.

Here’s what the principals had to say on Wednesday.

ANDRE WARD:

“I thank God for the opportunity. I dont take this time in my life for granted. I take my job seriously and appreciate the compliments, but I still feel that we have a lot of work to do before it is considered anything great.

“Sakio Bika and I have both had great camps. Come Saturday night I know that I am prepared both physically and mentally.

“Whether there are two or 100,000 fans in the stands makes no difference to me because I will still come in here to do my job.

When asked about running in the ring:

“I step up and show what theyre dealing with in the ring. I am a fighter that doesnt take a lot of punishment. Like Floyd Mayweather.

SAKIO BIKA:

“I am happy Andre Ward has given us the opportunity. I am looking for the win. Training camp went very well and we will win this fight.

“We have been training hard for six weeks.

On his preferred style of fighting:

“I dont care what kind of style of fighting an opponent brings to me. I do what I have to do to win the fight.

VIRGIL HUNTER, Ward’s Trainer:

“Its good to be here once again in our hometown and at the Oracle Arena. We have a difficult, tough task ahead. Sakio Bika is a world class fighter. In this training camp, we have no stones left unturned. We prepared diligently and have plans to prevail. We wish Sakio Bika luck. When I say luck, I mean that he goes home to his family in tact. We plan to win just like weve been winning for years. When Sakio Bika gets into the ring with Andre Ward it will be a whole different ball game on Saturday night.

On Bikas style:

“Sakio Bika is a very determined and aggressive fighter. Ive seen him get hurt on a few occasions and it intrigued me how he did get hurt and how he knows what to do when he does get hurt. We know hes aggressive and we know how to neutralize that.

On Andre Wards past knee injury:

“Andre Wards knee has finally healed. He beat Miranda, Kessler and Green with one leg. I am glad that he has his lateral movement back and that he is finally pain free. Im glad to have all the weapons back. I am happy that he his healthy once again.

RONNIE SHIELDS, Bika’s Trainer:

“Its a pleasure to be here out in Oakland. Sakio Bika is ready to go. We are just looking forward to Saturday night. Sam Watson asked me to train Sakio and I said yes because of the type of fighter he is. I know that he is talented and I know what he is capable of in the ring. Thats what we are prepared for and we’re ready to go.

“We know what we’re up against with Andre Ward. We have a great fight on our hands. Andre Ward can keep his spot in the Super Six Boxing Classic Tournament. We just want the WBA Title.

“I have never seen Andre Ward fight live but I have watched him on television. Hes a great fighter.

DAN GOOSSEN, Ward’s Promoter:

On the Super Six World Boxing Classic:

“The Tournament is a great, great concept. When it can be accomplished well see a lot more come about with this great concept.

“Today is about this Saturdays fight. When you get this close to a fight, youre just thinking of retaining this title.

“Antonio Leonard (Ward’s manager) said it best when he said that Andre Ward has the wits and the ability to put it all together. He will be one of the superstars in the sports in the years to come.

“I am proud of Andre Ward and his march to making history. Everyone is witnessing something special for the Bay Area and Oakland. This is a privilege for Oakland and the entire Bay Area to have a man born and bred and who wants to continue to perform in front of his hometown fans. This man epitomizes what a mother, father, brother or whoever you are can be proud of. I am extremely excited about him and who he is as a person.

“Bika and his camp have talked a lot about their plans to dismantle Andre Ward and pin the loss on him. I believe that Virgil put it best when he said that people underestimate Andre Ward.

ANTONIO LEONARD, Co-Promoter TNT Boxing:

“This is our fourth fight back in Oakland and nothing has changed. Andre is still the best 168-pound fighter in the world. He has done everything he said he would do when I met him in 2002. You dont have to talk the talk and walk the walk .No doubt in my mind that Andre Ward wins the fight like always.

ANDRE WARD & SAKIO BIKA

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS

Andre Ward and Sakio Bika participated in a national media conference call on Monday to discuss their upcoming world title fight on Saturday, Nov. 27, LIVE on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

Ward (22-0, 13 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Association(WBA) super middleweight championship in front of his hometown fans for a second time against the tough, dangerous Bika(28-4-2, 19 KOs) of Sydney, Australia, via Douala, Cameroon.

The Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament points leader, Ward has already secured his spot in the tournament Semifinals and will face Bika outside the tournament.

Bika will be making his third world title appearance in a world title fight. Two of his most noteworthy victories came when he crushed Peter Manfredo, Jr. (TKO 3) in November 2008 and when he outpointed Sam Soliman across eight rounds in October 2007.

In the first fight of the split-site doubleheader on SHOWTIME, “King Arthur Abraham will meet Carl “The Cobra Froch in the final Group Stage 3 bout of tournament for the vacant WBC super middleweight world title. The world title match will be televised on same-day-delay from the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland.

Here’s what the principals had to say on Monday:

ANDRE WARD:

“I’m so excited. It’s been a year yesterday (Nov. 21, 2009) since I won my world title and I’m focused and locked in on defending my title. That’s all me and my team has ever focused on. Not just becoming a champion but being a defending champion and striving for great challenges like Sakio Bika. I’ve prepared myself for a fight like this years in advance. I’m prepared for Sakio and I know he’s prepared for me. And I know we’re going to put on a great show on Saturday.

Does it matter to you that this is not a Super Six fight?

“Absolutely not. At the end of the day my championship belt is still on the line and at the end of the day I’ve got to show up and get the job done. And I’ve got a guy on the other side of the ring that’s trying to hurt me. For me personally there’s no let down. This is as big as it gets. There’s really no problem with this not being in the tournament. Everyone understands why it’s not in the tournament but this is a fight so as far as myself and my team it’s business as usual.

Why aren’t you fighting Andre Dirrell on Saturday night?

“I think Andre Dirrell’s team has already said why we’re not fighting Saturday night. Apparently, Andre’s got some neurological issues and I’ll leave it at that. I think with the writers and the media it’s their job to be able to figure out what’s true and not true and I just have to take whatever comes. I take Dirrell at his word and I hope he gets better soon and that we can see him back in the ring.

“When you sign a contract it’s a binding agreement and we were legally bound to fight Dirrell in our third fight. Personally, it’s not something you want to do; that’s a friend of yours, your family knows one another. It’s not really an ideal situation. But at the end of the day I’ve been fighting for a long time and I was prepared to do what I agreed to do. I think some of the fans blew things out of proportion. A lot of people weren’t talking and there really wasn’t much to say and it would have probably just made things worse.

“I think it’s unfortunate people think Dirrell and I were trying to take the fight off the table and that we were working together. That’s personally not who I am. I was always going to do what I had to do.

“I’m just as hungry as any opponent I’m fighting. I’m just as desperate as any opponent I’m fighting. I take this game very, very seriously. Having a championship and defending it means the world to me. I’m sure Sakio thinks this is a huge opportunity for him but this is a huge opportunity for Andre Ward as well.

“Becoming a great finisher like Sugar Ray Leonard is something we’re definitely working on and it’s something that’s going to keep showing up as we keep moving up and improving.

“I don’t really have any outside distractions. I keep a low profile and I don’t need an entourage. The guys that are around me are either family or they have a job to do. So I keep a tight circle. I really don’t have a lot of people pulling on me. I just think people over the years know where I stand and we just kind of set the tone from there. At this stage in my career I just don’t really have a lot do deal with in terms of outside distractions.

“At this point, Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham and Lucian Bute are non-factors. It’s all about Sakio Bika right now. I’ll take a line from Vince Lombardi: Success demands singleness of purpose. I’m locked in on Sakio Bika and Saturday night.

SAKIO BIKA:

“This is a very big opportunity for me. I just want to take care of my business and make a big upset even though I’m not in the tournament. I was very disappointed at the start that they didn’t include me in this tournament. I am very happy for Andre Ward for giving me this opportunity.

“I think I’m one of the best fighters in the world at 168 pounds. Since 2006 I’ve challenged everyone but no one wants to fight me. I challenged Mikkel Kessler and I’ve challenged others. I was disappointed I wasn’t selected at the start but I’m just very happy for this opportunity to get a chance to win this fight on the 27^th.

“I just have to show the world that I’m the best fighter. I will show Andre Ward that. I have this great opportunity. I just have to try and do my best.

“I know Andre has a very good style. He moves a lot and will be very tough. On the 27^th everyone will see what I will bring to beat Andre Ward. I don’t need to say too much about his style. It will be an exciting fight on the 27^th.

“Every time I go in there I’m trying to win the fight. I’m prepared to go the whole 12 rounds. If I could knock him out I’d be so happy. I’m looking forward to showing Andre Ward my power.

“I’m prepared for Andre Ward on the inside and the outside. We can handle him from the inside and the outside. We are prepared for whatever game plan Andre has for us.

Do you think Andre Ward might be underestimating you as a fighter?

“No. Andre Ward is a professional fighter and this is a business. He was preparing for Andre Dirrell and now he has prepared to fight me.

DAN GOOSSEN, Goossen Tutor Promotions:

“None of this could have been possible without SHOWTIME and Ken Hershman’s intestinal fortitude to keep everything moving in this Super Six Tournament which I believe the best is yet to come. This Saturday we’re going to have Froch and Abraham opening up this telecast and then to wind up the main bout with Andre Ward against Sakio Bika. I’m looking forward to Saturday night and seeing Andre Ward continue his path to becoming one of the best fighters pound for pound in the world today.

DAVID ITSKOWITCH, COO of Golden Boy Promotions:

“I know they call Glen Johnson the ‘Road Warrior’ but that would also be apt for Sakio. When you look at his record he’s really fought the best of the best in their backyard. … Going into someone’s backyard and taking them on is nothing new for him. It’s not something that fazes him at all. We expect him to come out with a victory this weekend. He’s an offensive machine who keeps coming and coming and coming. I think his style and Ward’s style are going to mesh for just a really great fight.

*OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

OAKLAND’S WBA WORLD CHAMPION

ANDRE ‘S.O.G.’ WARD

PRESS CONFERENCE*

PLUS WORLD CONTENDER SAKIO BIKA

Tomorrow/ Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 11:30 a.m. PT at Oracle Arena’s Courtside Club

WHO: WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward

World Contender Sakio Bika

WHEN:TOMORROW / Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 11:30 a.m. PT

WHERE: ORACLE Arena – Courtside Club, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621

WHAT: Ward and Bika will participate in their final press conference just three days before Oakland’s Ward defends his World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight championship against world contender Bika on Saturday, Nov. 27 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

Ward (22-0, 13 KOs), who has already secured a berth in the Semifinals of the SHOWTIME Super Six World Boxing Classic, will be making the second defense of his 168-pound title. The 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and tournament points-leader will face the tough Bika (28-4-2, 19 KOs) of Sydney, Australia, via Douala, Cameroon, who will be making his third world title appearance.

Ward-Bika will be televised live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast)

The World Championship night of boxing at Oracle Arena will begin at 4 p.m. featuring undefeated Mexican Jr. middleweight and 2008 US Olympian Javier Molina (4-0, 4 KOs) of Commerce City, CA, Sacramento’s undefeated lightweight Stan Martyniouk (10-0, 1KO), Houston’s power-punching Cornelius White (15-0, 14 KOs), plus four other bouts with the main event featuring the Bay Area’s finest starting at approximately 7 p.m.

Tickets priced at $150, $75 and $35 are on sale now at the Oracle Box Office or visit www.coliseum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Goossen Tutor Promotions and TNT Boxing are promoting this night of World Championship boxing, with the championship bout in association with Golden Boy Promotions, the promoter for Bika.