When Anthony Cacace (21-1, 7 KOs) steps into the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he will not only be fighting the most formidable opponent of his career, Joe Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs), in a challenge for the IBF super-featherweight title.
The former British super-featherweight title holder, Cacace, could consider himself unfortunate due to several fights falling through, opponent pull-outs, injuries, and the pandemic, which has limited his activity to only five fights since February 2019.
However, the Belfast man now finds himself on the undercard of the undisputed heavyweight title affair between WBC titleholder Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 23 KOs) and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs).
Cordina-Cacace was initially slated for February 17 but the contest was put on ice after Fury sustained a cut in a sparring session before the historic undisputed title fight’s original date.
Welshman Cordina has conceded that a fight against Cacace was “frustrating” due to the Olympian wanting a unification opportunity against the likes of O’Shaquie Foster or Emanuel Navarrete in more compelling and appealing fights.
Cordina has held the IBF title twice, most recently recapturing it in April last year in a thrilling title challenge against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in Cardiff, Wales. However, Cordina saw himself stripped of the title following his highlight reel knockout of Kenichi Ogawa to claim the title in 2022 due to injury and his inability to fulfill his mandatory requirements.
Cacace understands that he is the betting underdog but is undeterred.
“I am not here to make up the numbers. I am here to win that belt,” Cacace told Belfast Live.
“Yes, I am the underdog and he is the big favorite. But he is the one with everything to lose. I am just a guy from Andytown living the dream.
“Part of that dream is winning that title on Saturday night, and I have no doubt I can do that. I can’t wait. Being part of this card in Saudi Arabia is brilliant. It is what boxing is all about.
“And I am ready to deliver.”
Read the full article here
