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Manager Magee calls for Cacace to back up the hype in British title fight

It’s time for Anthony Cacace [17(7)-1(0)] to put promise into practice and turn talent into tangible title success, that’s the view of the Belfast fighters manager Pat Magee.

Cacace has long since been heralded as the most naturally gifted Irish fighter yet to have made his mark beyond Irish domestic level.

The super featherweight is said to have skills in abundance and power to match and is becoming the poster boy for unfilled potential – and Magee believes that has to change, starting with soon to be officially announced British title fight with Sam Bowen.

In fairness to the 30-year-old he has been the victim of some poor luck of late. This fight alone has been cancelled from two dates and put back twice – and it’s not the first time Cacace has been denied the chance to get some real momentum in his career.

However, the former Emerald Warriors star man was granted one keenly desired break through opportunity back in July of 2017, but lost a close decision to the man James Tennyson stopped to collect the European title, Martin J Ward in a British title fight.

The consensus at the time was the skilled operator could have won it, but certainly could have done a lot more away from home to make sure.

Magee warns that can’t happen again.

“He hasn’t lived up to expectations,” said Magee when speaking to the Irish News.

“He hasn’t. He didn’t fight as well as he should have against Ward and he will have to produce a better performance against Bowen.

“Winning will give him all sorts of opportunities because he is in the top 15 with the WBA and he will go up in their ratings if he beats Bowen and he would feature in the WBO ratings as well.

“It’s more than a British title fight, let’s put it that way.

“Anthony has suffered injuries and had fights postponed and one thing and another but he needs to win this fight for sure and he needs to move on quickly. He’s now 30 years of age.

“[Bowen] has been very impressive in what he has done to date, he is number six in the WBO ratings, he’s a puncher and I think that the Warren team are expecting him to go places. Cacace will have to show better than he has shown before to beat him, that’s the way I look at it.”

It’s not that the manager, who guided the successful career of Brian Magee, hasn’t faith in Cacace, more he just worries the talented operator hasn’t time for slip ups.

He notes that whilst it’s a step up for Cacace it’s also a step up for the champion.

“Cacace will be right up there with anybody Bowen has been in with too, absolutely,” added Magee.

“We’re assuming that Cacace is the more experienced boxer, with a better amateur record and so on, but at the same time Bowen was in the elite squad for England when he boxed as an amateur. So there is every indication that this is going to be Cacace’s hardest fight.”

Cacace should finally get the chance to dethrone British champion in November.

‘The Apache’ has been mandatory for the English fighter’s title for some time now and was initially meant to challenge the Frank Warren fighter in London as early as July 13 this year.

The title fight was then pushed back to August 3rd and was scheduled to play on the massive Féile an Phobail card, only for injury to force Bowen to pull out again.

Team Cacace now expect the BBBofC ordered fight to take place in Cardiff on November 16.

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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