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Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
It could very well be a fire Fight of the Year as promised Saturday night when Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood clash at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN .
Both men enter this fight coming off a victory over Josh Warrington as Cacace generated a unanimous decision over Warrington in September, while Wood finished "The Leeds Warrior" in seven rounds prior to that in October 2023.
With this looking like an all-action affair, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for each fighter.
Anthony Cacace’s keys to victory
Assert the jab
Review Anthony Cacace’s unanimous decision over Josh Warrington from September and one will notice how the Irishman flicks out his jab as a range-finding weapon, pouncing off it with heavier hitting offense.
Against Leigh Wood, Cacace will look to use his four-inch reach advantage in tapping the English fighter with the jab and using it to set up more substantial punches that can damage his rugged opponent.
Volume in rhythm
Another key for Cacace is his ability to put together punches in bunches behind that jab.
Cacace does a pointed job at establishing the jab and then driving up his punch numbers in rhythm.
There is a cadence and flow to Cacace’s sweet science that he should look to use to exploit Wood.
Crank the uppercut
Cacace is skilful and subtle with the way he launches his uppercuts with either hand.
What makes the punch special and effective for Cacace is the way he can start out it as a light jab, before turning that stick into a compact uppercut, often to the surprise of his opponents. Just ask Warrington who was served a buffet of them last fall.
This punch should be key against Wood, especially in the cramped quarters of the phonebooth.
Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Leigh Wood’s keys to victory
Feint and change levels to move forward
To fight forward and pressure Josh Warrington, Leigh Wood did a brilliant job feinting and changing levels.
He is swift and smooth with this movement and might have to use it against a rhythm fighter like Cacace who also gets around the ring well.
Stay off the ropes
The sequences where Wood found himself in trouble against Warrington were instances that he lost his spatial awareness and got hung up on the ropes. That is where Warrington was able to unload heavy-handed punches on him.
Being aware of his ring real estate as he moves around to stay off the ropes is crucial because a fighter like Cacace will make him pay dearly for stagnant movement.
Unload the counter hooks
Wood sits on his hooks effectively with power in both hands that Cacace must respect.
If Cacace is going to sit in the pocket and trade with him, Wood must have the composure to time a counter hook. After all, these counter shots could buzz and chop Cacace down just as Wood did with Warrington.
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