Sakio Bika vs. Andre Ward: thoughts and predictions?

[The Hammer]

Andre Ward as usual will have home advantage in Oakland.

Will Jack Reiss be working the fight? He allowed Ward to hold & hit, and deliberately headbutt in the Kessler fight. If so, will he penalize Bika for his rough inside fighting and allow Ward to get away with it?

Does Ward headbutt a lot because of the lack of power in his legal punches? Will he protect Ward if Bika gets too rough?

If the officiating is fair, I think Bika has a real chance of winning this one, perhaps by KO. But I don't think it will be fair.

What do you think?

[VatoMulatto]

Bika's only shot is by KO. Bika will have his moments in a fight that could turn quite ugly. Bika is physically strong, has some good power, let his hands go a lot and is aggressive, so I think he'll have his moments...but at the end of the day Andre Ward is the superior boxer and he should dictate the fight and win by a clear UD....something like 117-111 118-110 116-111.

[The Hammer]

Bika's only shot is by KO. Bika will have his moments in a fight that could turn quite ugly. Bika is physically strong, has some good power, let his hands go a lot and is aggressive, so I think he'll have his moments...but at the end of the day Andre Ward is the superior boxer and he should dictate the fight and win by a clear UD....something like 117-111 118-110 116-111.

It's impossible for Bika to win a decision over Ward in Oakland, no matter how much he deserves it.

He'll need a KO to win.

[Who are you?]

Bika is a very competent fighter. Ward is an inside fighter, but I dont think thats a good strategy to use with Bika.

Bika is, in my opinion, stronger than Ward.

The correct way to beat Bika is the way Bute or Calzaghe has used, which is speed & from a distance.

I think Bika has a much better chance than most people are giving him. Odds are almost -700 for Ward to win, thats outrageous & I do think Sakio is being underestimated.

[Who are you?]

Ward may get more than he bargained for if he starts trading with Bika. Bika is *very* strong guy.

Styles make fights & I think Bika is a bad style for Ward...

[THEDOC]

Someone is getting cut from a clash of heads, it's inevitable given the styles. This will be an ugly ass fight

[Spray_resistant]

Bika is better than given credit for and won't be having any of Ward trying to rough him up on the inside.

[PowerJab]

To be honest, I would like Ward to fight out of Oakland, but this fight could take place anywere and Ward still beats him. To much boxing skill, speed, & accuracy.

And yeah, Ward needs to realize Bika has also got a hard head, and is very strong & rough on the inside, so he may think twice about fighting Bika on the inside.

But still Ward all day.

[The Hammer]

Someone is getting cut from a clash of heads, it's inevitable given the styles. This will be an ugly ass fight

Yes.

But will the referee allow Ward to get away with it, while at the same time penalizing Bika?

That is sure to happen if the referee is Jack Reiss

[Heeb]

Ward is a very good all around fighter. He probably won't fight Bika on the inside and win a UD fighting from range.