What’s next for Anthony Cacace?

Anthony Cacace stopped Leigh Wood in the ninth round to defend his IBO super featherweight title in Nottingham.

The 36-year-old had too much firepower for Wood who found himself on the end of heavy left hooks and right hands, unable to respond, forcing the towel to be thrown in. The victory means that Cacace has managed to extend his late-career revival for one more fight

This stoppage win will open up the super-featherweight landscape for the Belfast man whose stock has risen again, but which path will he choose on his hunt for a second world title at 130lbs?

Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

Speaking to Boxing News after his fight with Wood, Cacace made it clear that there was one man at the top of his list – WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster. He was also confident he would be able to secure this as a homecoming fight in Belfast. 

Cacace said: “I think that’s who it is, that’s who we’ll get. We’ll fight for the WBC in Belfast soon. It would be nice because O’Shaquie hasn’t really got the opportunities, and I believe that’s a big opportunity for him to come over and fight me in Belfast. We will just have to see if he has the guts.”

When asked for a prediction on the fight with Foster, the former IBF champion confidently responded with: “I’d knock him out, there’s no doubt in my mind that I knock him out.”

Foster recently reclaimed his WBC strap in a rematch with Robson Conceicao at the end of last year and also has wins over world-level opposition like Eduardo Hernandez and former WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas. 

Although he may have to wait for this opportunity as Foster is rumoured to fight WBC featherweight titleholder Stephen Fulton. But, speaking to Boxing Scene, he said that it doesn’t matter who holds the belt. 

He explained: “Give me the word titles. There's another word title I can put in the house; put it in my trophy box. It would be nice. It's a belt that I've always wanted, so why not?”

He continued: “Anyone, anyone, show me the money.” 

The Belfast man plans to take some well-earned time off with his family before thinking about a return to the ring but will be hoping to get his shot by the start of next year, he told The Ring.