According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, an intriguing IBF Super Middleweight elimination bout between undefeated Jean Paul Mendy and former world title challenger Sakio Bika has been added to the off-tv portion of the packed cardthat will feature the Lightweight title rematch of the 2009 fight of the year between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz that will take place July 31st in Las Vegas.
The winner of Bika-Mendy will earn a mandatory shot against 168-pound titleholder Lucian Bute.
“This is truly a ‘Fight Freak’ card for the ages,” said Richard Schaefer , CEO of Golden Boy Promotions who will promote the card. “We are going all out to make July 31 a night to remember for boxing and sports fans. The addition of Bika versus Mendy is another all-action fight which supplements a card which I consider to be one of the best top to bottom boxing events in the past few years.”
Schaefer said Bika-Mendy will take place just before the HBO PPV telecast begins but that highlights of the bout would air during the broadcast. However, he said is working on having the fight, along with another undercard match featuring blue-chip junior welterweight prospect Frankie Gomez, shown live as a free preview in the hour preceding the start of the pay-per-view telecast.
“We’re trying now to secure the free window from the PPV channels,” Schaefer said. “Looking good.”