Sakio Bika returns to face Luke Sharp on July 8th

AFTER an extended hiatus, Sakio Bika is finally pencilled in for a return.

The former WBC and IBO super middleweight titleholder will make his first appearance on home soil in eight years, when the well-travelled Cameroon native squares off with super middleweight gatekeeper Luke Sharp (14-5-3, 6 KOs) on July 8th at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow.

Bika will break a 26-month hiatus to appear on the Neutral Corner Promotions bill in Wollongong, which boasts an undercard of local talent including a national title challenge from Haithem Laamouz and a regional title defence for former Commonwealth Games representative Mark Lucas.

“It’s an honour to have Sakio Bika on my show,” said an elated event promoter Paul Nasari.

“Sakio’s track record speaks for itself. He has fought across the world and is of course a two-time world champion. I think Luke Sharp will be a solid test for him as he hasn’t fought in more than two years. Luke has gone the distance with several talented fighters, including Blake Caparello, who was naturally much bigger and fought for a world title at light heavyweight.”

The 38-year-old last fought in April 2015, stepping in on short notice to challenge reigning WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson in Canada, who unanimously outpointed Bika (32-7-3, 21 KOs) in a brave twelve round showing.

Sharp, 28, a former West Australian titleholder, has fought credible domestic level opposition. The Perth resident holds wins over Peter Mitrevski Jr. and local rival Paul Morrison, while pushing Michael Zerafa and former world title challenger Blake Caparello to decision losses respectively.

Bika and Sharp will compete for a WBC affiliated regional title at super middleweight, with the winner pushing towards a possible world rating with the organisation.