Cameroonian-born Australian boxer Sakio Bika has put his hand up to replace the legendary Mike Tyson for July’s bout against YouTuber Jake Paul.
The former Disney star is preparing to take on boxing royalty Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Texas on July 20, but there remain doubts over the 58-year-old will be cleared for the bout.
However, speaking to World Boxing News this week, Bika has declared his interest in fighting Paul if an eleventh-hour replacement is required.
“At the moment, I am staying in shape and ready if the right offer comes my way,” Bika told the publication.
“I have reached the top of the sport, becoming a multiple-time world champion and winning the prestigious Contender series. I have nothing more to prove to anyone, but I would like to have one more big fight. If someone like Jake Paul or his brother would really like to test himself against a recent world champion, I am always ready to fight.
“Mike Tyson is an all-time great boxer; he was a hero of mine growing up, and even though he looks in great shape, he is almost 60 years of age! If Jake Paul is serious about fighting a former champion, look for someone a lot younger or active within the last decade. I can fight Jake Paul at any weight he wants.”
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Bika, who held the WBC super-middleweight title from 2013 to 2014, has only entered the ring once in the last seven years, defeating Sam Soliman in Newcastle in 2021.
The 44-year-old, who boasts a 35-7-3 professional record, also held the IBO super-middleweight title from 2008 to 2010.