Belfast Ball Rolling – Massive World Title Homecoming for Anto Cacace
Anthony Cacace has been handed a massive homecoming.
‘The Apache’ will return to Belfast for the first defence of his WBA super-featherweight world title when he takes on Nick Ball on December 19.
The Belfast veteran became a two-time world champion when he claimed the WBA crown in March, defeating Jazza Dickens on points in Dublin.
The-37-year-old was linked with a mandatory defence and had called for unification bouts. However, he’ll now make his first defence against former WBA featherweight champion Ball, with the Liverpool fighter stepping up in weight in a bid to become a two-weight world champion.
The December showdown will mark Cacace’s first appearance in Belfast since May 2023, when he successfully defended his IBO super-featherweight title against Damian Wrzesinski.
The bout will also be the modern Irish great’s first Arena headliner in his home city.
Fellow Queensberry boxer Ball gives the big-punching Indian Summer-enjoying Holy Trinity graduate the chance to take a fith consecutive English scalp.
He goes into the clash on the back of a World title win over Joe Cordina, a victory over Josh Warrington, a defeat of Leigh Wood and a points win over Dickens.
Ball enters the contest having suffered the first defeat of his professional career earlier this year.
The Liverpudlian surrendered his WBA featherweight title after being stopped by Brandon Figueroa in the final round of their February clash.
That triumph came three months after his first world title opportunity ended in a draw against then-WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas.
Ball also has previous experience of fighting in Belfast, having shared a 2023 card as Cacace when he stopped Ludumo Lamati.
