Anthony Cacace v Josh Warrington - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainer & professional boxing records

We analyse the credentials of Anthony Cacace and Josh Warrington ahead of the pair's super-featherweight world title showdown on the undercard of Daniel Dubois v Anthony Joshua at Wembley.

There is something special about a big domestic fight.

On 21st September, fight fans will be treated to a potential cracker when Anthony Cacace defends his IBF super-featherweight title against Josh Warrington at Wembley Stadium.

It has been a long road to the top for Cacace, who often found opportunities hard to come by.

Once tipped for greatness, the Northern Irishman now has the chance to prove just how good he is.

This is a familiar situation for Warrington, who has previously been involved in four all-British world title fights. However, this may be the last roll of the dice for the Leeds fighter who has struggled with his form in recent years.

Who will prevail?

Let’s have a look at the tale of the tape…

Anthony Cacace v Josh Warrington
Tale of the Tape

	Anthony Cacace	Josh Warrington
Age:	35	33
Nickname:	'The Apache'	'The Leeds Warrior'
Height:	5ft 10ins	5ft 7ins
Reach:	N/A	67 ins
Weight:	Super-featherweight	Super-featherweight
Trainer:	Michael Hawkins	Sean O'Hagan
Record:	22-1 (8 KOs)	31-3-1 (8 KOs)
Last fight:	W - TKO (R8) v Joe Cordina (May 2024)	L - TKO (R7) v Leigh Wood (Oct 2023)

Anthony Cacace
In Profile

For many years, Anthony Cacace was a myth.

Fighters such as two-weight world champion Carl Frampton would sing the praises of the Northern Irishman based on his displays in the gym, highlighting his power and technical ability.

However, on fight night, a vastly different version of ‘The Apache’ would appear in the ring.

The devastating knockout blows were absent, and he often failed to dominate low-level opposition in the manner one would expect from a boxer destined for world honours.

There were glimpses of a top fighter seen in sparring sessions, but they would be fleeting.

However, in May, the 35-year-old proved the whispers to be correct as he bludgeoned Cardiff’s Joe Cordina to capture the IBF super-featherweight strap, making a mockery of the 4/1 price available on him beforehand.

It finally came together for a fighter who had flattered to deceive for much of his 12-year professional career.

Or did it?

Critics could point to the issues the champion had making the 130lbs weight limit ahead of the bout. Cordina’s struggles with the scales had been well-documented and his most recent showing had been underwhelming.

The truth likely lies somewhere in between the two viewpoints: Cacace produced the best performance of his career, but the Welshman should likely have been campaigning at lightweight.

Both points of view can be true.

Given that the Belfast boxer had to wait so long for his opportunity to shine, he will likely leave no stone unturned ahead of his first defence, but will have a tough, experienced customer in front of him.

Was that night in Riyadh the pinnacle of Cacace’s career, or will he finally live up to the hype?

We will find out on 21st September.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Big at the weight	Blows hot and cold
Switches stance well	Can be outworked
Timing	Has been pinned in corners in past
Accuracy	Fades late in fights

Josh Warrington
In Profile

Had this fight been made at the start of 2021, the odds would likely have looked very different.

At the time, Josh Warrington had established himself as one of the best featherweights on the planet, having defeated domestic rivals Lee Selby, Carl Frampton and Kid Galahad.

However, in the intervening years, ‘The Leeds Warrior’ has only won one of his last five fights.

First there was a crushing knockout loss to the unheralded Mauricio Lara, and the rematch ended in a technical draw after a second-round clash of heads opened a gash above the Mexican’s left eye, which prevented him from continuing. 

A rare knockout victory over Kiko Martinez saw the Yorkshireman become a world champion once more, but his reign was short-lived as he lost a decision to Luis Alberto Lopez in his next fight.

Last October, Warrington appeared to have rolled back the clock as he comprehensively outboxed Leigh Wood in the first half of their battle, before being halted in the seventh.

After many gruelling fights, it is hard to know how much the 33-year-old has left in the tank.

Perhaps a move to 130lbs will suit him, but it is equally as possible that Warrington will find life in his new division to be a struggle when he does not possess the physical advantages he did at featherweight.

However, one thing that is certain is that Warrington will relish the role of the underdog; many of his best performances have come when the odds were stacked against him.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Applies pressure	Lot of miles on the clock
Combination punching	Open defensively
Upper body movement	Prone to head clashes
Jab	Lacks one-punch KO power