From Deseret News archives:
Former BYU Cougar Sikahema is no stranger to the ring
This time he was warming his vocal cords.
"He said he wanted a rematch," said Sikahema by phone as he drove to a speaking engagement this week. "I said it's fruitless, because it's not a matter of getting in shape. He could have been in shape and I would have knocked him out and they would have carried him out in better shape ... You can't get in shape for toughness ... it's something you have inside you. He's not going to get toughness in the gym. He's got to see the wizard and get a heart."
Boxing talk. You gotta love it.
"He posed absolutely no threat to me," Sikahema said. "I kept telling people it was an unfair fight. "
Mike Tyson couldn't have said it better.
Sikahema, the former BYU and Philadelphia Eagles return specialist, defeated Canseco last week in Atlantic City, flooring him twice in 97 seconds. The self-proclaimed "War at the Shore" lasted about as long as one of Sikahema's punt returns. The first knockdown came a half-minute into the bout, a left hook that left Canseco tangled in the ropes. Soon to follow was an overhand right, followed by several punches as Canseco crumpled.
Never mess with a man who has 80 fights to his credit.
Even if you are 8 inches and 50 pounds larger.
"He never laid a glove on me," Sikahema said.
None of this was surprising to Sikahema, who says he's "spent a lifetime sizing people up." A sports anchor at NBC-10 in Philadelphia, he continued, "I told the promoter, 'You put me in the ring with Jose, I tell you it's gonna be a mismatch.' He thought it was just bravado. I said, 'I'm not kidding you. I would murder this guy' ... I said it would be unfair to put me in the ring with this guy."
They did and it was.
The impetus for the fight between 40-something former athletes was, naturally, money. But for different reasons. On Canseco's side, it was to stave off bankruptcy. The ex-ballplayer was looking for someone to oppose him in a celebrity bout. For Sikahema, it was a chance to donate earnings to the family of a Philadelphia police officer who was killed during a bank robbery.
Still, Sikahema's wife wasn't thrilled when he told her he wanted to fight one of baseball's infamous Bash Brothers.
Recent comments
Good idea since Alex should not have the opportunity to ruin my...
Hey Utah Red | July 21, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.
Boxing is a potent martial art, especially when combined with a full...
Ing | July 19, 2008 at 10:50 a.m.
can't be too much into mixed martial arts... it's spelled jujitsu....
RE: Zeke | July 19, 2008 at 12:13 a.m.
- Eminent domain in Nets arena case 9:41 a.m.
- St. Louis boxer: sport saved my life 9:31 a.m.
- A 'twittologue' with Chaffetz 9:23 a.m.
- Rebound slower than first thought 9:22 a.m.
- 'Boomerang kids' moving back in 9:18 a.m.
- H1N1 vaccines pulled in Canada 9:06 a.m.
- Stocks retreat on reports 8:58 a.m.
- TCU's success exceeds expectations 8:54 a.m.
- Obama welcomes Indian PM Singh 8:31 a.m.
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County 8:31 a.m.
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Real Champions
- Fans greet returning Real Salt Lake
- Inmate dead following prison fight
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
216 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
198 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
136 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
133 - BYU records with win
132 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
131 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
101
It's already established that Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is a big San...
I could tell BYU was ready to play Saturday afternoon even before the...
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is giving his team some time off for...
And what was the percentage increase by gays in hate crimes against Mormons...
You're right, it seems like 8:12 is wound a little too tight at the moment....
Who has ever tried to "deny religious rights afforded in the Constitution"?...
TCU will get into a big money bowl game this season and ewetah has been to...
I am so proud of Donny to keep up with the pro. The body may be not extend...
Tex: This article shows up on Utes sports and the TDS sports so you get off...
Poster at 8:27, the only thing missing from your comment is maybe another...
hopefully they take russell he is one of the laziest defenders i have ever...
What about those who do not choose to have health care? How about those who...
If BYU wishes to tone down the rivalry, perhaps they should start with...


