ANTHONY Cacace’s hopes of another career-boosting win have been dealt a blow.
The 36-year-old Belfast boxer was set to fight for the fourth time in 14 months on August 16 against New Jersey’s Raymond Ford. A clash between the two former world champions formed part of a five-fight Riyadh Season card headlined by the all-British heavyweight clash between Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte.
Cacace, 24-1 (9 KOs), can no longer fight on August 16 according to The Ring who reported overnight that the Northern Irishman has suffered a back injury in training. The article added that attempts were being made to find another opponent to face Ford in five weeks’ time. The 26-year-old will have to fight on an alternative date and show if a suitable foe cannot be found.
The injury to Cacace puts a stop to the impressive run he has built which began in Riyadh on May 18, 2024. Often regarded as one of Ireland’s most talented fighters Cacace finally delivered on his potential with an upset win against Joe Cordina earning him the IBF super-featherweight title.
Cacace next faced Josh Warrington four months later and despite beating ‘The Leeds Warrior’ his world title was not on the line. Days before the fight the IBF ruled that Cacace-Warrington would be a non-title fight, ‘Because he [Warrington] has not fought in the 9st 4lb division in over a decade and has never been ranked.’
In January this year Cacace revealed he would vacate his world title with a mandatory defence against Eduardo Nunez on the horizon. Explaining his decision on Instagram ‘The Apache’ said, “Becoming a world champion was an absolute dream and an incredibly proud moment for me.
“However, at this stage of my career I only want the biggest fights possible, regardless of the belt on the line.
“I’m a prize fighter and my aim now is to secure mine and family’s future and to create a legacy for myself in boxing by being involved in massive fights that fans will remember.”
Nunez went on to claim the vacant title with an impressive win against Masanori Rikiishi in Japan.
Sixty days ago Cacace made it a hat-trick of impressive victories with a ninth-round win in against the hard-hitting Leigh Wood in Nottingham.
Ford, meanwhile, is rebuilding his own momentum after losing his WBA featherweight title to Liverpool’s Nick Ball 13 months ago. Since then, ‘Savage’ Ford has notched up back-to-back wins against Orlando Gonzalez and Thomas Mattice, respectively.
In an interview with DAZN’s Chris Mannix last month Ford, 17-1-1 (8 KOs), gave his prediction for the Cacace bout. “I think it’s going to be easy. I think I’m gonna knock him out.”
