Anthony Cacace wants WBC world title shot following Leigh Wood demolition

Former IBF super-featherweight champion Anthony Cacace has called for a WBC title showdown O'Shaquie Foster after emphatically stopping Leigh Wood in their domestic dust-up this past weekend.

The Northern Irishman - who currently holds the IBO title - produced a clinical display in Nottingham as he dented Wood's hopes of becoming a two-weight world champion in front of his home city supporters.

Cacace, who also secured statement victories over Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington last year, utilised his greater size and reach to superb effect, controlling long parts of the fight before forcing Wood's corner to throw in the towel in the ninth round, after the former featherweight champion had been floored.

Having showed his opponent the utmost respect in the build-up to the clash, the 36-year-old had vowed to end the bout inside the distance to showcase his true world title credentials, and he stuck to his word.

Whilst the dust may only just be settling on his statement success on Saturday night, Cacace has already turned his attentions to his next fight as he seeks to capture a third strap in the 130lbs division.

I think O'Shaquie Foster is who it will be next - that’s who we’ll get.

- Anthony Cacace (IBO super-featherweight champion)

"We’ll fight for the WBC title in Belfast soon. O’Shaquie hasn’t really had the opportunities, so that’s a big opportunity for him - to come over and fight me in Belfast.

"We’ll just have to see if he’s got the guts. I’ll knock him out [if the fight materialises]," he told Boxing News.

The 31-year-old Texan, who edged a split decision victory over Robson Conceicao last time out, was largely expected to tackle American foe Stephen Fulton later this summer however, as he seeks to become a three-weight world champion.

But with an agreement still not being reached for that fight to happen, it appears as though the door has been cracked ajar somewhat for Cacace to step in.

Irrespective of whether an agreement is struck between the two camps for that dust-up, the Northern Irishman's promoter Frank Warren (Queensberry) has already announced that his fighter's next bout will taker place in Belfast.

The 36-year-old, who relinquished his IBF title earlier this year, has only fought in his homeland once since 2015 - a comfortable unanimous decision triumph over Damian Wrzesinski in May 2023 - and has often spoke of his ambitions of fighting for a major title in front of his own supporters.

It appears as though that wish could soon be granted.

Mark Mothershaw

• Queensberry
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