Latest news with #superfeatherweight
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Ryan Garner set for Bournemouth return to defend EBU belt against Reece Bellotti
Ryan Garner's next opponent has been confirmed, with the super featherweight set to defend his EBU title against Reece Bellotti. Undefeated Garner, (7-0 (8), picked up the EBU strap in March at the Bournemouth International Centre with a unanimous decision over the then-unbeaten Salvador Jimenez. Fighting out of Southampton, 'The Piranha' is set to travel to neighbouring Bournemouth on 26 July in a voluntary mandatory defence against Bellotti, 20-5 (15). Bellotti holds the the British and Commonwealth titles at super featherweight. Garner had been in talks with fellow Briton James 'Jazza' Dickens, 34-5 (14). Aside from his EBU title, Garner also holds the WBC international strap, having successfully defended it four times since winning it against Juan Jesus Antunez. Garner is seventh in the WBC's ratings and 13th with the IBF. Belotti is ranked 21st by the WBC and is unlisted by the other big three boxing organisations. 27-year-old Garner will hope that victory over Bellotti catapults him higher up the super-featherweight division. The weight class has thrown up some eye-catching bouts recently, with Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood going head-to-head last weekend. Former IBF and current IBO champion Cacace managed to stop Wood in his own backyard. Garner was twice set to fight Cacace, only for bouts to fall through in April 2022 and November 2023. Garner has since admitted that either fight against Cacace would have come too soon for the Hampshire boxer, who is slowly building to world title contention. Ever since becoming a professional, Garner has been signed to Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Anthony Cacace speaks on family and his journey in boxing
Anthony Cacace will travel to enemy territory to defend his IBO super featherweigh t at Motorpoint Arena tomorrow. The Belfast man has seen a late career revival, capturing the IBF super featherweight title last year at 36 years old, which he has since vacated. Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, Cacace (23-1) reflected on his journey in boxing and what it means for his family. Four years ago, Cacace captured his unrecognised IBO world title against Michael Magnesi and believes this was the turning point for his career in terms of recognition. He said: 'Four years IBO champion now, so I'm proud of that. From then, the opportunities kind of unfolded and from Simon [ Legg, his manager ] and whatever else coming on board. Things have worked out well. And now I am in the position that all these young kids around my estate. I love them to be watching and say, 'If he can do it, I can do it.'' The IBO champ recently posted a video to his Instagram showing him with some young fans after a run, and he explained what he felt when confronted with the support he has from his community. Cacace explained: 'I felt emotional. I was like wow, my name, my fathers name, Cacace. My father's Italian you know, he's from Sorrento. It's like I've done something for him and for us – our name is cemented.' He continued: 'It makes me happy, and it's not even because people know me. It's just that I am genuinely inspiring the next generation, and I feel it. I feel like I am too.' Family legacy is of great importance to Cacace. He said that taking this fight with Wood is evidence of his focus on wanting to make his family proud and to be remembered in the sport. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. 'I've made him super proud,' he said. 'I could get emotional now talking about it. It's like my mum, my dad, they've been along the journey with me. All these hard times, and there's been plenty of them.' He added: 'I have accomplished something that's going to live forever. I'm the first Irish, super featherweight champion ever. Anthony Cacace will never be erased from those [history] books and there's nothing that makes me more happy.' Cacace credited his parents with supporting him through financial hardship and making sure that he had what he needed to pursue his dreams and become a champion. Despite insisting this is not the end of the line for him, he admitted he does have one eye on future and being able to spend more time with his family. Cacace said: 'I'm not aiming for a finishing line. It's like, 'Beat Leigh Wood and move on.' Maybe fight for another work title, defend it, and we'll talk then. But I've got three children, and I would love to be able to spend some time with [ them ]. Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who is Leigh Wood: Fight record, stats, next bout and more
Leigh Wood will return to the ring after over eighteen months to challenge Anthony Cacace for the IBO super featherweight title at the Nottingham Arena this weekend. Despite this being Wood's first fight at the super-featherweight limit, a win over Cacace would position him for a shot at one of the 'big four' boxing titles. But it has been far from straight forward for the Nottingham fighter, who has had to pull himself through hard times and setbacks to climb his way to the top table of boxing. Stats Total fights: 31 Record: 28-3 (17 KOs) Rounds: 170 Height: 5' 7' Reach: 67' Early Career Wood made his debut in 2011 and worked his way to a shot at the British super-bantamweight title three years later, suffering a sixth-round knockout loss to Gavin McDonnell. This early setback forced him to re-build, eventually claiming the Midlands Area featherweight title by knocking out Lee Glover in two rounds in 2016. Despite this, Wood was still fighting four- and six-round fights in Midlands small halls before he got his shot at the Commonwealth featherweight title in 2018. After claiming the Commonwealth title and defending it, Wood made the next step up and claimed the WBO European title, beating Ryan Doyle in 2019. Stumbling once again, 'Leigh-thal' lost his European title in 2020 to James Dickens by majority decision. It looked as though it was one step forward and two steps back for Wood – having to bounce back and win the British featherweight title against Reece Mould the next year. World titles In 2021, Wood would receive a career-defining opportunity to challenge for a world title. At the Matchroom HQ Garden in Brentwood, Can Xu's WBA featherweight title was on the line. Wood was a massive underdog coming into the fight, but claimed a dramatic twelfth-round stoppage and his first world title after ten years. But defending a world title is another thing, and Wood's first defence was against Olympic Bronze medallist Michael Conlan in a bout in Nottingham in 2023. Symptomatic of his career, the fight was slipping away from Wood who was dropped in the first round and outboxed for the rest, but he stayed in the fight until the end – rallying in the final round to knock out Conlan in The Ring's 2022 fight of the year. This was not the end of the drama for the Midlands man who suffered a knockout loss of his own against Mauricio Lara in 2023. Five months later, he won an immediate rematch to reclaim his WBA title with a unanimous decision. Woods final fight at featherweight was against his Leeds rival, Josh Warrington, and it was another comeback victory. Down on all three scorecards, he picked a perfect hook followed up by a blistering five-shot combination to put Warrington down and force a referee stoppage.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Where does Cacace vs Wood fit into the super featherweight Landscape?
Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood return to the ring on Saturday at the Nottingham Arena for a super featherweight showdown, live on DAZN. This will be Wood's first fight at super featherweight after struggling for some time to make the 126lbs limit. Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Cacace recently vacated his IBF belt. He believes fighting Wood instead of the mandatory for his former title, Eduardo 'Sugar' Nunez will be beneficial for his future in the sport. 'The Apache' told BBC Sport: 'I feel like it's a better decision to vacate for my future to create a legacy in this sport, and for my name to be remembered for big fights.' Whatever outcome arises from this weekend's bout in Nottingham will grossly impact the careers of both former champions. The IBO title Cacace acquired the IBO belt in 2022, and it will be on the line against Wood, but due to the relationship between the IBO and the 'big four' organisations, it will have little to no bearing on the ability of the winner to unify with other belts. The IBO are excluded from the agreement between WBA, WBO, IBF and WBC that a champion from the 'big four' can bypass the rankings in order to unify the titles. Rankings Cacace is ranked as the number three super featherweight by The Ring behind O'Shaquie Foster and Emmanuel Navarette. He also holds the minor IBO title, so a victory against a former featherweight title holder in Wood will position Cacace as a world-level contender and potentially open up an opportunity for him to eventually challenge again forhis former IBF title. Cacace told Boxing Scene: 'It's the big fights now, but, you know, the winner of me and Wood – which will be myself – will box for a world title. I don't know [who it will be against yet], but you'll find out pretty soon.' Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. It is a different story for Wood. After over eighteen months out of the ring, he may not have any rankings in his new division, but he carries the status of his former WBA featherweight title. A win against the former IBF champion may pave the way for a shot at a world title or a favourable ranking. The 130 lbs division is headed by three champions: O'Shaquie Foster (WBC), Emmanuel Navarrete (WBO) and Lamont Roach (WBA). Foster (29-3) recaptured his world title at the end of the 2024, beating Robson Conceicao by split decision in a rematch. Navarette (39-2-1) beat Oscar Valdez to claim the WBO title in December last year, knocking out the Mexican in the sixth round. He is set to defend his title against Charly Suarez on the same night Wood and Cacace will fight. In his last fight, Roach (25-1-2), moved up to the lightweight division to challenge for Gervonta 'Tank' Davis' WBA title, but the fight ended a draw. A rematch is rumoured. In the super featherweight division, Roach beat Hector Luis Garcia to become WBA champion in 2023. Against this backdrop, a win for Cacace would solidify his standing as one of the top contenders and potentially open up another world title opportunity in the twilight of his career. For Wood, a successful move to super featherweight could fast-track him into rankings with a win over the vacated IBF champion and as the former WBA featherweight champion. Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Belfast title fight would be 'unbelievable'
Anthony Cacace says he is hopeful of "doing something" in his home city of Belfast amid talk of a possible WBC super-featherweight world title shot against O'Shaquie 36-year-old vacated the IBF belt to face Leigh Wood on Saturday but retained his IBO title with a ruthless ninth-round stoppage of the former two-time world champion in over a year ago Cacace was an unknown outside of local boxing circles but has firmly established himself as a major player in the division, doing so mostly on the road with his latest victory coming on his opponent's home turf."I'm at the stage now where I'm literally top of the tree," said Cacace after extending his record to 24 wins and one loss from 25 fights. "I've disposed of all the top featherweights and super-featherweights in Britain, so I wouldn't mind bringing it back to Belfast and doing something before I hang up the gloves."Winning the WBC title in front of my home crowd, which I'm very capable of doing, would be unbelievable." Cacace's spectacular run that began 12 months ago when he stopped the previously undefeated Joe Cordina has led to him grabbing the attention of the boxing world and performances like Saturday will only serve to boost his stock the decisive ninth round, a long, snaking right followed by a left saw Wood stagger back and be held up by the ropes before the 36-year-old beat referee John Latham's there was no letting the challenger off the hook as Cacace finished superbly, thudding home punches that prompted Wood's trainer Ben Davison to throw in the Cacace's ninth win inside the distance, he said he did not want to afford Wood the opportunity to show his feted powers of recovery. "I thought to myself, you know, he's a Cinderella man."People have had him like that and then he ends up sparking them out, so I just said to myself, 'Empty the tank'. "I knew he was gone, and I was very aware that I could have blew up, but I felt that was him, I could see Ben there ready [so] just keep punching until he throws it in." 'I can't just stop now, can I? I'll have to keep going' Wood was returning to the ring after a 19-month break, but following wins over Cordina and Josh Warrington, Cacace has now beaten three two-time champions in succession."I don't know if I fought the best Leigh Wood, but I fought Leigh Wood as again he's another two-time world champion," he said."He's beaten some really good names. It was a fight he's been asking for, a fight that he's been telling everyone he was going to knock me out. "It just shows you that I'm better than what I look like sometimes and I hit harder than my records suggest."Cacace will turn 37 in February but, after his late rise through the division, said he has to "keep going". "Never in my wildest dreams, genuinely, did I ever think that I would be where I'm at and that's the truth," he added."We're living in dreamland compared to two years ago."I can't just stop now, can I? I'll have to keep going. I don't have many miles on the clock."
