Canseco vs. Sikahema - Celebrity Fight and Bodog Odds

A celebrity fight is going down on July 12th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The participants? None other than former MLB star Jose Canseco and former NFL player Vai Sikahema.

Regardless of who wins, this one will no doubt get plenty of coverage, as everything Canseco does seems to be under the magnifying glass following the release of his book which blew the lid off of steroid use in baseball. It also doesn’t hurt that Sikahema, a former return specialist, is the sports director for the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia.

Both fighters will wear headgear, and 14-ounce gloves will be worn. Each round will last for two minutes.

HOW THE FIGHT HAPPENED

Some time ago, Canseco issued an open challenge to any celebrity who wished to fight him. The winner takes home $5,000, and Canseco has admittedly been plagued by financial troubles in recent years. He claims that two divorces drained him of $15 million.

In May of this year, Sikahema stepped forward and accepted the challenge. According to the former Eagles’ player who actually invented the tradition of punching the goal posts after scoring, “I think I’ve made a decision that is prudent, although unconventional, and people think I’m out of my mind.”

BACKGROUND ON JOSE CANSECO

Known as “the Bad Boy of Baseball,” Canseco became the first man to hit 40 or more homers and steal 40 or more bases. He also won the AL MVP award in 1988, and dated such sex symbols as Madonna.

But as his career winded down, and his money dwindled away, Canseco released a tell-all book in 2005 entitled “Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big.”

In the book, Canseco admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs and also ratted out other famous players, including heroes-turned-villains like Mark McGwire. Needless to say, this did not make him a popular man in the sports community.

However, it did result in the MLB looking into the matter, and the release of The Mitchell Report caused shockwaves in the baseball community which are still being felt to this day.

“The curiosity factor is going to be incredible,” Canseco said about the fight. “Whether people want to see someone kick my butt, or me kick someone else’s butt, I guarantee there will be interest.”

BACKGROUND ON VAI SIKAHEMA

Sikahema played in the NFL from 1986 until 1993 as a running back and kick returner. His career took him to the Cardinals, Eagles and Packers, and he was twice voted to the Pro Bowl. After scoring a kickoff return touchdown in 1992 against the Giants, Sikahema first invented the “goal post punching move,” which is still used by some players in the league.

Since he’s been working in sports broadcasting, it seems as though Sikahema has been spoiling for a fight. In 2007, he called out angry comic (and celebrity boxer) Danny Bonaduce. In 2008, he fought radio host (and martial artist) Dave Cruise at a charity event and won a 30-27 decision.

If he wins the fight, Sikahema has dedicated his purse to the widow of a Philadelphia police officer recently killed in the line of duty.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Jose Canseco is 45 years old, while Sikahema turns 44 on July 2nd.

Canseco claims to hold black belts in Muay Thai, Taekwondo and Kung Fu. Sikahema wanted to be a pro boxer while growing up, and he was taught the art by his boxer father.

Canseco is 6’4” and weighs 245 pounds, only 5 pounds above his 1988 playing weight. He insists that he’s no longer on steroids. “I‘m a real athlete, and a real heavyweight.”

Sikahema is 5’9” tall, and he currently weighs 210 pounds (up 25 from his 185 playing weight). He runs six to eight miles per day, and has had some boxing experience in the last year.

According to Sikahema, “I think he’s going to be in trouble. He’s a big dude, big target. He has to find me. I know combinations and how to throw punches. I’m short, but I’m not small. I’m in great shape, but I don’t have the reflexes of an Oscar De La Hoya.”

BODOG FIGHT ODDS

Luckily, our good pals at Bodog are already taking bets for this fight of the century. Here are where the current odds are positioned:

Jose Canseco -280

Vai Sikahema +200

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Canseco vs. Sikahema - Celebrity Fight and Bodog Odds