Cacace: I'll Beat Ward-Hughes Winner, Everyone Will Know Me

By Matt Bevan

Anthony Cacace has been forced to withdraw for Saturday’s card in Preston, which will be shown on ITV, but he has been named mandatory for the winner of Martin J Ward’s British title defence against Maxi Hughes on March 25 in Manchester by the British Boxing Board of Control.

‘The Apache’, who is 15-0 with seven stoppages, assured Boxing Scene that he will still be aiming to return by the end of February before setting his sights on the Ward and Hughes clash, two fights he is confident he would win with no problem.

The 27-year-old –– who won the Celtic title by stopping Ronnie Clark, who troubled Ward last time out –– enjoyed two wins at the tail end of 2016 in Wigan and Manchester and he admits that the recognition from the Board has dragged.

“I’ve had to pull out because of a chest infection, so it wasn’t worth risking it yet,” he told this website. “But I’m still ticking over, so the end of February is what we’re aiming for. As soon as a date comes up then I’ll take it.

“I’m glad I’ve finally been considered by the Board, it’s been a long time coming. I won the Celtic title and I’m sure that I’ll win the British no problem. It’s a bit ridiculous that Maxi is in ahead of me because he’s not beaten Ward either time he’s faced him, but it is what it is.

“Maxi has every chance, though, if you go on Martin’s last performance where he looked vulnerable. It’s never a given so there could be a shock on the cards, but whoever wins won’t beat me. I’ll be there on March 25 and Martin will be the favourite.

“If he wins that’s great. I don’t want to sound over confident, but I really think it’s an easy win for me. He’s a great, very neat boxer but he doesn’t have a chin, so how will he cope when he comes up against someone who hits as hard as me?”

Cacace has linked up with Pat Magee back in Belfast, who guided Brian Magee to a world title and is looking to add to the success that Irish boxing is currently enjoying, led by Super WBA featherweight king Carl Frampton, who faces Leo Santa Cruz in a rematch on January 28 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

Anthony knows better than most how good the likes of Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan are, as he trained alongside them and others with the Irish squad when they were all amateurs.

However, he is fully focused on his ambitions and is hoping that 2017 will be the year where he picks up titles and make sure that every boxing fan knows ‘The Apache’s’ name.

“I’m with Pat Magee, so it’s exciting times going forward and it’s good to be back with someone like that, as I’ve been without since I left the McGuigans and Cyclone Promotions.

“Irish boxing is flying and it’s great to be a part of it. It’s crazy at the moment. I boxed with the likes of Barnes and Conlan in the amateurs and I fully expect them to do very well. They’ll have a head start due to their unbelievable achievements, but I’m where I want to be.

“2017 will be my year. I’ll pick the British title up and then I’ll be looking at the European. We’ve had talks for it already but the champion, [Frenchman Guillaume Frenois] didn’t want to know.

“Regardless, though, by the end of 2017, everyone will know my name.”