Our Experts Decide: Sakio Bika vs. Anthony Dirrell

 
AUSTRALIA will have it’s fourth world title fight in as many weeks when Australia’s own Sakio Bika takes on American Anthony Dirrell in a rematch of their hard-fought twelve round draw. The twelve round fight takes place from the StubHub Center in Carson, California tomorrow afternoon (AEST).

 
They’ll meet again with Bika’s WBC super middleweight title on the line.

 
“The guy is always talking,” Bika said at yesterday’s final press conference.

 
“If he feels he’s going to knock me out Saturday night, you don’t need to run away. You don’t need to run all the way around the ring. He was running. On Saturday, come in the ring and see if you can fight.”

 
Having knocked down Bika in their first fight, a confident Dirrell has been talking plenty of trash, believing he’ll be the man to dethrone Bika, who has fought three undefeated fighters back-to-back.

 
“It’s gonna be an easier fight,” said an overconfident Dirrell.

 
“Nothing’s really changed, just tuning up a few things. It’s gonna be an easy fight for me.”

 
Aus-Boxing spoke to a group of industry insiders and got their thoughts ahead of yet another world title fight featuring an Australian.

 
 
Ben Damon, MAIN EVENT – Record: 6-5
 
Bika W 12 Dirrell: Sakio Bika is the unsung hero of Australian boxing. A fighter who has filled the role of ‘opponent’ throughout his career, fighting the very best the world has to offer, and somehow still winding up with the WBC super middleweight title.

 
He will be an underdog again in his rematch with Anthony Dirrell, a man the Americans
would love to see wearing a title belt. Bika hit the canvas in their original fight, but would have won the fight regardless had he not controversially lost a point for a supposed low blow. He drew the fight that night, as Dirrell nagged and complained, but this time I think it will be a clearer margin for the Australian.

 
He has been training relentlessly as the scheduling for this fight dragged on, and is in peak condition to go into battle again. Bika will bring his typical rugged style to the ring while I expect Dirrell to be far more cautious and conservative this time.

 
I think he will once again find Bika to be a puzzle he just can’t solve. Bika via decision.

 
 

Adam Wilcock, Manager/Promoter – Record: 7-4
 
Dirrell W 12 Bika: For me this is a real 50/50 fight. Bika is tough, hard and a massive heart. He is unorthodox, but he continually finds a way to get the win.

 
Dirrell on the other hand is slightly more polished but not the experience of Bika. I think that Dirrell will have learnt a lot from the first fight and will have enough to take a points decision.

 
Bika having signed some time ago with advisor Al Haymon gets the opportunity, but unfortunately gets the short end of a match-up between both guys under the music executives control.

 
 

Sam Soliman, IBF middleweight champion – Record: 0-1

 

Bika W 12 Dirrell: This is a tough one to decide. I think Sakio will win on points in a close fight. In the end I think a busier and more fit Sakio wins it over the twelve round distance.

 
 

Jeff Fenech, Bika’s former trainer – Record: 0-1

 

Bika W 12 Dirrell: This is a great fight. Sakio will be much too strong his animal instinct will see him win, but it’ll go the distance.

 
 

Brendan Bourke, Manager/Agent – Record: 7-2

 

Dirrell UD 12 Bika: Another tough one for the Aussies. Dirrell learnt how to beat Bika first time round, but strayed from the game plan. Dirrell won’t make the same mistake this time and he will go on to win a points victory.

 
 

Sam Labruna, Trainer – Record: 7-2

 
Dirrell UD 12 Bika: I can’t wait for this fight. I have huge respect for Bika and I would be a happy man if he can hold on to that prestigious WBC belt, but I’m putting the trainers hat on now.

 
I think that Dirrell will win this time over the distance. In saying that, I think Dirrell has some good tools and good power but he can’t match Bika for toughness and grit. If he gets lazy, Bika will steamroll him.

 
My heart is in Bika’s corner, but my head is saying Dirrell.

 
 

Lincoln Hudson, Trainer – Record: 8-3

 

Dirrell W 12 Bika: What a high. The last time these two met it was a tale of who wanted it most. The first half of the fight Dirrell had it all to lose, then came the scorpion, Sakio came home like a steam train.

 
Well, I think we all should get just as excited again. I hope Sakio does it, but my head says there maybe a third and final bout to decide who is the man. In saying this, I think Dirrell takes it on points but I hope I am wrong.

 
 

http://vimeo.com/103481728

 
 

Barry Michael, Promoter – Record: 1-0
 
Bika W 12 Dirrell: Sakio has done it the hard way, always as the opponent and always in the other fella’s backyard. It’s no different in the rematch where Dirrell is going in as the favourite again.

 
Sakio is the typical underdog, he never backs down from a fight and will fight whoever is in front of him. I think Sakio is too determined to lose and will push Dirrell back and outwork him over twelve.

 
 

Matt Clark, Manager – Record: 5-1

 
Dirrell W 12 Bika: Unfortunately, I see our recent streak of bad results in world title fights continuing in this bout. Dirrell will stick to the game plan better this time and outpoint Sakio over the distance.

 
I can’t see him stopping Bika, but I think he’ll do enough this time around to get the nod. Hopefully Sakio proves me wrong and lands a huge fight with George Groves.

 
 
George Reno, Trainer – Record: 5-2

 
Dirrell W 12 Bika: This is another really good fight. We all know sakio is as tough as nails, but I think Dirrell will have his measure this time around and win on points.

 
 

Billy Hussein, Trainer – Record: 8-1

 

Bika W 12 Dirrell: I will never go against Sakio. He is and was the toughest champion, challenger and contender. He’s got the hardest style to fight against for any fighter that faces him. I think he retains his title over the distance.

 
 

Gareth Williams, Trainer – Record: 6-5

 

Dirrell TKO 9 Bika: I cant go past Dirrell in this rematch. He can box and punch on the front foot as well as on the back foot. I dont think he will leave it to the judges this time, I think he’ll stop Bika in nine.

 
 

Dino Billinghurst, trainer – Record: Debut

 
Bika KO 10 Dirrell: If the referee let’s Sakio fight and rough up Dirrell on the inside, it will easy an easier night for the champion.

 
Sakio needs to apply constant pressure and break Dirrell down, but he needs to be careful and make sure he doesn’t run into a straight right on the way in. Dirrell will also look for the uppercut. I’m worried about the judging so Sakio needs atleast a knockdown if it goes to the scorecards, look what happened last time.

 
I believe though Sakio will finish it in ten rounds after dropping Dirrell for the second time to set up a big name for the future.

 
 
Photos: Golden Boy Promotions/Getty Images
 

 
Betting Odds:

 
Anthony Dirrell: $1.44, Sakio Bika: $2.75

 
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