AN opportunity for Raymond Ford to become a two-division world champion has emerged after Anthony Cacace decided to vacate his IBF super-featherweight strap.
Cacace, 23-1 (8 KOs), claimed on social media yesterday that, instead of facing mandatory challenger Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez, he now looks to secure the “biggest fights possible.”
The 35-year-old claimed his trinket with a stunning eighth-round stoppage victory over Joe Cordina last year, before defending it against Josh Warrington in September.
As we await an announcement on the Irishman’s next outing, though, it appears that Nunez is likely to collide with Masanori Rikiishi – who is ranked number three by the IBF – for the vacant red and gold belt.
Meanwhile, former featherweight world champion Ford, 16-1-1 (8 KOs), who is ranked number seven by the sanctioning body, could lock horns with the winner.
The 25-year-old lost his WBA title to Nick Ball in a fiercely contested battle last year, but now looks to stamp his authority at 130lbs.
And so, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, who promotes both Nunez and Ford, believes that the pair will enter a mouth-watering showdown before the end of this year.
“[Nunez] will fight for the world title against [Masanori] Rikiishi, and Ray Ford wants to fight ‘Sugar’ Nunez,” Hearn told Boxing News.
“At least there’s a fighter who’s willing to fight ‘Sugar’ Nunez, which is nice, and it’s a hell of a fight.
“So let’s see ‘Sugar’ Nunez become world champion first. Ray Ford will return on the [Jaron Ennis vs Eimantas Stanionis undercard on April 12].”
In terms of an opponent for Ford, Hearn mentioned that a potential rematch with Edward Vazquez is on the table.
Despite edging a split decision against Vazquez back in 2022, many believed that ‘Savage’ was fortunate to come away with the victory.
A second encounter with the American would therefore present Ford with the opportunity to produce a more assertive performance.
Beyond his next assignment, however, it would seem that a world title shot against Nunez could be well within his grasp.
