Sikahema enlists Holmes’ aid for celebrity bout with Canseco

EASTON, Pa. – Vai Sikahema said he was honored to train in “sacred territory” at a “hallowed boxing gym.”

The former Philadelphia Eagles return specialist is here this week, training for his upcoming celebrity boxing match under the expert tutelage of Hall of Famer Larry Holmes at Holmes’ training center.

Sikahema, 45, will fight 44-year-old former baseball slugger and best-selling author Jose Canseco. The event is scheduled for July 12 at Bernie Robbins Stadium in Atlantic City.

The “Easton Assassin” said he plans to be Sikahema’s celebrity trainer for the three-round bout.

“I sent out a feeler with some of Larry’s people and he responded personally, welcoming me to come up to Easton and work out,” Sikahema, also the sports director at the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia, said after his surprisingly intense workout inside the steamy gym.

“I actually grew up a boxing fan of the 1970s. My dad, Loni, and I dreamed of a boxing career, not of a football career. So for me to train here today, it truly is a special time.”

As the well-conditioned, powerfully built Sikahema worked out for nearly two hours in front of TV cameras, it became apparent to Holmes and everyone watching that the former Golden Gloves youth boxer still has some skills.

Sikahema, who claims to have 5 percent body fat on his 5-foot-9-inch, 200-pound frame, said he fought about 75 to 80 bouts between ages 7 and 14.

He won his first pro fight against radio host Dave Cruise in January.

“Vai has a powerful right hand, he has a good left jab and he’s got a big heart,” said Holmes, who was inducted last month into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. “He’s going to kick Canseco’s (butt).

“I wish Vai was a couple years younger. … I could make a fighter out of him, a champion.

“And I’m not blowing smoke because I don’t blow smoke,” the former champ added.

Sikahema, who is married with four children, plans to use his quickness and conditioning advantage against the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Canseco, an admitted steroids user who blasted 462 major league home runs.

“Why am I doing this?” Sikahema said. “This is what I grew up doing, and I love the challenge. The promoter (Damon) Feldman came to me with the proposal and I took about two weeks to think it over. It’s not my makeup as a person not to take this serious.”

Sikahema has said he will give $5,000 of the charity bout’s proceeds to the widow of Philadelphia police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, who was killed in the line of duty in May.

Canseco, who amassed millions playing baseball, is reportedly in financial ruin and needs his purse to pay the bills.

The event promises to be a star-studded affair.

Sikahema said he expects many of the current Eagles players, including Donavan McNabb, to be ringside. He also recently received e-mail confirmation that former NBA star Charles Barkley, an ex-76er and Philadelphia fan favorite, plans to attend.

Any predictions?

“I’ll knock him out in three rounds,” said a smiling Sikahema.

“I’d bet my money on him,” Holmes chimed in.