Anto Cacace Elevated To WBA Super Champion Ahead Of Ball Clash As Samedov Becomes World Champion

Anthony Cacace has been elevated to WBA Super Featherweight Super Champion, with mandatory challenger Elnur Samedov also now recognised as a World champion.

The Belfast star is set to defend his WBA Super Featherweight title against Nick Ball in a highly anticipated showdown, but the WBA has now confirmed significant changes to the championship picture at 130lbs.

The governing body granted Cacace special permission to make a voluntary defence against Ball, despite Samedov being the division’s mandatory challenger.

However, there will be no further special permission granted beyond the upcoming contest.

The winner of Cacace vs Ball will have 12 days from the date of the fight to confirm their participation in a mandatory title defence against Samedov.

That means the winner will be expected to face Samedov next, with the WBA making it clear that no further voluntary defence will be permitted until the division returns to having one champion at 130lbs.

Samedov’s elevation to World champion status comes as part of the WBA’s latest championship ruling, meaning the Azerbaijani fighter now holds recognised World champion status despite Cacace and Ball still being set to contest the Super Featherweight championship.

For Cacace, the immediate focus remains on Ball and what promises to be a huge night for Belfast boxing.

The former European champion captured the WBA title with his impressive victory over ‘Jazza’ Dickens in Dublin earlier this year and will now make the first defence of his championship against Ball.

But with Samedov waiting in the wings, there is already a clear path mapped out for the winner.

Cacace vs Ball will determine who moves forward as the WBA Super Featherweight Super Champion and Samedov is next in line.