It is almost impossible for an undercard fight to steal the show on a night that Anthony Joshua fights at Wembley Stadium, but it was widely predicted that Anthony Cacace-Josh Warrington would provide the in-ring fireworks to match those that lit up the London sky in September.
Daniel Dubois’ stunning knockout of Joshua regardless totally overshadowed everything else that took place under Wembley’s famous arch, but the fight between Cacace and Warrington never quite caught fire.
Cacace, 23-1 (8 KOs), was initially disappointed by his performance, but after knocking out Joe Cordina to win the IBF super-featherweight title and then outpointing the two-time featherweight champion Warrington, the 35 year old Irishman has rightly taken the time to think more rationally.
“At the time I felt like I very much underperformed,” he told Queensberry Promotions. “I look back now and think that I got control of a two-time world champion. I controlled the pace; the length. I controlled most things. Looking back, I controlled it very handily and it was a nice solid win but I expect my performance to be higher and harder from here. I want stoppages. I want to get them out of there.”
Cacace has spent years on the outside looking in but now finds himself with a host of realistic options. He has always had talent but he suddenly also has a reputation.
He has a high-profile mandatory challenger in the dangerous Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez, but his status as a world champion offers him new privileges, and after spending years boiling his broad 5ft 10ins frame down to 130lbs, the idea of moving up to the lightweight division and chasing the big names – and associated paydays – also greatly appeals.
As does the idea of returning home as a champion. Cacace won the British title in Birmingham, and was crowned the IBF champion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After beating Warrington in London, he likes the idea of fighting in front of a home crowd in Belfast.
“Anyone and everyone,” Cacace responded when asked who he is targeting next. “There’s lightweight there. [Vasiliy] Lomachenko; any of these boys. Any of these lightweights. Give me a crack at them.
“At my weight, there’s a mandatory in ‘Sugar’ Nunez. Business is business. It has to be right for me. I fear no man – no man whatsoever – but business has to be right for me at this stage of my life.
“I would love that [to headline at home]. Only now am I feeling the love of the people back home on my estate; in Belfast; in Northern Ireland. To even sell half of the Odyssey Arena out would be unbelievable. That would be a big achievement for me.”
John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79