WBN has learned tonight that mandatory WBC super-middleweight title challenger Sakio Bika will fight undefeated Mexican Marco Periban for the newly vacated green belt at the Home Depot Center in California.
Bika is a former IBO title holder himself at the weight. He will now have the chance to regain a more recognized version of the championship after his comprehensive victory over Nikola Sjekloca in February.
The Atlantic City triumph was the 33-year-old’s third straight win since losing to former champion Andre Ward, who has recently been elevated to ‘champion emeritus’ until he recovers from surgery on an injured shoulder.
Unbeaten pound-for-pound star Ward, 29, will then fight the new champion as stipulated by the World Boxing Council. The match-up will come at the earliest opportunity available once Ward has fully recovered and rehabilitated from his setback.
Second challenger Periban, 28, is currently ranked number four by the WBC, stopping thirteen of his 20 opponents inside schedule. He now gains his first world title chance on the same bill as the welterweight clash between Marcos Maidana and Josesito Lopez on June 8th.
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