By Miguel Rivera
The World Boxing Council has advised BoxingScene.com that Marco Antonio Periban vs. Sakio Bika has been officially approved for the vacant WBC super middleweight title. Golden Boy Promotions had made a request for the sanctioning of the fight and the WBC approved their application. The belt became vacant when the WBC made Andre Ward the "Champion Emeritus" because of his inactivity/recovery time due to shoulder surgery.
Periban-Bika takes place on June 8th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Showtime will televise Peribán (20-0, 13 KOs) vs. Bika (31-5-2, 25 KOs) as part of a tripleheader event that also features Alfredo Angulo vs. Erislandy Lara and Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez.
"The opportunity came and I could not pass it up. I have a good chance to be crowned champion. I'll have good sparring and prepare with Mexican heavyweight Mario Heredia, all under the tutelage of my mentor Manuel Lopez," said Peribán. "I will be 100% for this fight. Sakio Bika is a skilled fighter, but not overwhelming."
