ANTHONY Cacace is still the IBO super-featherweight champion after defeating Josh Warrington by unanimous decision in Wembley Stadium.
Judges Marcus McDonnell (118-110), Steve Gray (117-111), and Grzegorz Molenda (117-111) all managed to find a clean winner following a hard-fought contest that was often scrappy and tough to watch, with many rounds following a similar pattern.
The size difference was immediately apparent as Warrington looked to work his opponent’s available body. Cacace’s jab was missing, which was a surprise given his gangly arms from either stance.
By round six, it was becoming a messy affair. Referee Howard Foster was on Cacace’s case for supposed headbutts. Cacace’s uppercuts were whipping underneath as Warrington chose his moments to attack. It was a tough fight to score, with few moments of genuine quality and no dominant periods.
Cacace’s left eye was trickling with blood in the final session as the Leeds man’s errant forehead finally did its job. Belfast’s Cacace did a good job of his own down the stretch, adapting his tactics and using the raking jab to slow down Warrington’s offensive output as the former world champion tired.
Now waiting to defend his missing IBF belt against Eduardo Nunez, Anthony Cacace improved to 23-1 (8), while Warrington might consider hanging them up as he falls to 31-4-1 (8).
