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Anthony Cacace stops Leigh Wood in Nottingham slugfest
NOTTINGHAM, England - Anthony Cacace seemingly brought the curtain down on Leigh Wood's career after stopping the ex-WBA featherweight champion on Saturday night.
The Northern Irishman secured a ninth-round TKO victory over the home favourite in a hard-hitting bout that lived up to expectations in front of an electric Motorpoint Arena.
Nottingham Forest fan Wood had hoped to make the most of a partisan crowd and was the favourite amid an electric atmosphere as he ended a year-and-a-half exodus.
But former IBF super-featherweight belt holder Cacace instead dropped his opponent's comeback hopes at the first hurdle, to leave questions about his future in the ring.
Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
The Motorpoint Arena functioned as a coliseum for the ringwalks, as Wood led off to a raptuous response, with his fans belting out the repertoire of his beloved club on the way.
Cacace conversely stepped into the lion's den to the sound of The Cranberries' Zombie, sporting only a baseball cap as he followed suit to the squared circle after his opponent.
The noise was deafening as the cheers and boos accompanied the introductions, before the fight commenced, with the opening stages played out at a frenetic prace.
Wood established his jab first, throwing bunches of blows as Cacace clipped him in return with a stretched right and looked to use his overhand left to put his foe in trouble.
Both men tried to feel each other out in the second, with the former landing a right to catch his bowed opponent, prompting loud cheers from the packed crowd behind him.
Cacace sought to connect more throughout the third, connecting his right with the gloves and a rangy uppercut as Wood slipped away from the ropes to further delight his fans.
As chants of “Nottingham” filled the arena, Wood grew in confidence and if it felt like was going to win this fight. This crowd would certainly play a part.
The two were not afraid to get up close and personal with the pair frequently clinching in round four.
Cacace was the one looking to take advantage of these moments with a short right connecting.
Wood looked most comfortable whenever he slipped out of Cacace’s grasp to get on the front foot, and tried to follow with blows that could catch him off-guard.
Wood was caught by a Cacace left in round five and then the former featherweight champion’s head was rocked by a solid jab soon after.
Cacace continued to march forward, putting together successive one-two combinations to push Wood back.
A clinch slowed Cacace down as Wood clubbed at his body before landing a quick left hand to close out the session.
Cacace’s punches carried plenty of spite in the sixth.
A jab once again rocked Wood back and the crowd had quietened, realising that it would take just one moment for Cacace to pounce.
Wood had lapsed in concentration, Cacace was getting past his guard with ease and concern started to be felt ringside by his friends and family at the round’s end.
Round seven was Wood’s turn to walk Cacace down. While he was doing this successfully, nothing came of it in what was a rather uneventful period.
The bell rang for the eighth and Wood came out swinging, landing to Cacace’s body.
Then came a Wood right hand forcing Cacace to backpedal as blood was smeared under his right eye.
The ‘Apache’ was afforded a brief rest after receiving a warning from the referee for punches to the back of the head.
Despite this being a round which Wood dominated, Cacace’s threat still lingered, and he enjoyed it with a menacing smile greeting the Nottingham man as the referee pulled both men away at the end of the session.
A left hook out of nowhere from Cacace in round nine rocked Wood.
Punch after punch rained down from Cacace before Wood fell back into the ropes and the first knockdown of the fight.
Wood insisted he was okay to the referee, but Cacace smelt blood. He continued to unload and a left to the body signalled the beginning of the end.
The wind was taken out of Wood who failed to stand upright as his fans attempted to spur him on.
Watching the drama unfold ringside, there were calls for the fight to be stopped and for Wood, his trainer Ben Davison had seen enough and threw in the towel.
The Motorpoint Arena was shocked by what had transpired, but the right decision was made.
For Cacace, his career is prolonged and after fighting in Riyadh, Wembley Stadium and Nottingham, surely now is a time for the 'Apache' to get his big night in Belfast for super featherweight honours.
When it comes to Wood, it felt like a farewell. Tears were visible in his eyes as he showed his appreciation for the fans that have supported him throughout this rollercoaster of a boxing career.
If Wood does decide to retire, then he can be content with the career he has enjoyed since making his professional debut in 2011.
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