Dickens and Cacace fully focussed at final press conference

James ‘Jazza’ Dickens and Anthony Cacace were both in a respectful mood at the final press conference ahead of their world title showdown this weekend.

Dickens makes the first defence of his WBA super-featherweight title against Cacace at the 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday,  live on DAZN .

Dickens was upgraded to full champion after stopping Albert Batyrgaziev in four rounds last July, while Cacace is bidding to become a two-time champion, having given up the IBF strap he won against Joe Cordina in May 2024 to pursue lucrative bouts with Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood.

Queensberry Promotions

Both men have been around the sport for many years, and they weren’t interested in engaging in any hostilities at the press conference, although they expressed how much they are looking forward to getting in the ring and putting on a show.

When asked if becoming champion has changed anything for him, Dickens insisted it is business as usual: “That’s just a mental thing, it’s not really like that.

“You’re training for a fight, you’re training to win. If anything, you get better, hungrier, and want more and more, so it’s just a mentality from the outside looking in.

“When you become champion, it doesn’t change anything; you still have to go in there and win your own title back, so it’s just the same for me.”

Cacace assured the gathered press that he has a similar drive for this contest, and the chance to become a two-time champion has lit a flame inside of him.

“It’s another great opportunity presented to me here now to become a two-time world champion,” said Cacace.

“Full respect to Jazza, he’s done it the hard way – the same way I have. I’m just raring to go now [because if] I win this title, I can go down as one of Ireland’s greatest ever fighters, and that’s what is motivating me for this one.

“Two years back, I had absolutely nothing, and now I’ve won the IBO, the IBF, and I’ve secured my family. I’ve done things I thought I couldn’t have {done] and now I’m just focusing on legacy by trying to become a two-time world champion.

“I’ve got a big heart and big balls, I just want this title so badly. I know Jazza has worked his whole life, and he’s got to this point, and he’s not going to want to let it go so easily, so I know this has got all the makings to be a great fight and a very fan-friendly fight. I’m just buzzing about it.”

While no fight predictions were made, they were both confident that it would be a very entertaining main event and that no bad blood was needed to sell this one.

Dickens added: “I’m sure it’s going to be a great event, it’s one of the best cards I’ve seen in a very long time.

“At the top of the card, we don’t need to speak no sh-te to build the fight. It’s going to be a good fight due to our abilities, and that’s the boxing I like to see.”

“This means more to me than anyone will ever know, because this means more to me than anything in my life. It’s been a dream I’ve had since I was a kid, and I’m not going to go on about what it means to me because not many people – only Anto [Cacace} and a few of these fighters here – will understand what it means. It’s absolutely everything.

Cacace echoed those sentiments and made it clear just what a win on Saturday would mean to him as well.

He said: “I want to cement my family’s name in Irish boxing history. I’m the first Irish super-featherweight champion ever, so to go on and become a two-time [champion], to be up there with the likes of Carl Frampton, Katie Taylor, and all these greats – that’s what this is all about now.

Dickens vs. Cacace only on DAZN

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