Former featherweight champion Josh Warrington, who has lost his last two fights, is fielding a lot of criticism about him getting a world title shot against IBF super featherweight champion Anthony Cacace on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois on September 21st at Wembley Stadium.
Fans feel that Warrington (31-3-1, 8 KOs) shouldn’t be getting a title shot against Cacace (22-1, 8 KOs) when he’s never fought at 130, is coming into the contest with a 0-2 record in his last two fights.
Warrington Defends His Position
Warrington was knocked out in the seventh round in his previous contest by Leigh Wood in a failed bid to capture the WBA featherweight title on October 7, 2023. That defeat places Warrington’s record at 1-3-1 in his last five fights since February 2021.
It’s a bit unfair to contenders like #1 IBF Eduardo Nunez for Warrington to leapfrog him for a straight title shot against Cacace in his first fight in the 130-lb division.
Speaking about the criticism that he’s received from fans about getting a title shot off the back of two defeats, Warrington said today that His Excellency wanted him on the card becaue of his exciting fighting style and that past greats like Marco Antonio Barrera went straight back into a world title fight after losing to Erik Morales.
There’s a big difference between the talent and the level that Marco Antonio Barrera was fighting at when he first lost to Morales, than where Warrington is getting a title shot after back-to-back defeats and sporting a record of 1-3-1 in his last five fights. Barrera, he ain’t.
Cacace Embraces the Challenge
“To be sharing the ring with Josh Warrington, he’s a real warrior. He’s going to make it the best fight possible. I think it’s a real fan-friendly fight and one for the fans,” said Anthony Cacace during today’s kickoff press conference, talking about his opponent Josh Warrington for their September 21st fight at Wembley Stadium in London.
“It’s a title shot, and a pinnacle of the sport. I’m not surprised,” said Cacace when asked if he was surprised that Warrington agreed to fight for a world title against him.
“Who wouldn’t be excited if not for the main man? Thank you for the opportunity,” said Josh Warrington, thanking His Excellency for choosing him to fight for a world title despite his recent knockout loss to Leigh Wood and 12-round decision defeat against Luis Alberto Lopez.
“His [Cacace] performance against Cordina was absolutely brilliant. He boxed really well. We’re going to throw the kitchen sink at each other. When I become three-tome, I’ll put my head around it.
“People are saying, ‘Why is he getting an opportunity.’ This is boxing,” said Warrington, talking about the complaints from fans on social media about him getting a world title shot despite his 0-2 record in his last two fights and coming off a knockout loss.
“His Excellency wants exciting fights. Riyadh Season is about exciting fights,” said Warrington about why he got the gig instead of more deserving contenders.
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