Anto Cacace has fired back at Nick Ball after the Scouser told him he will bring an end to his reign as WBA super-featherweight champion. Cacace will defend his title against Ball at the recently renamed O2 Belfast on Saturday, 19 December.
Cacace's unbeaten run
Since emerging on the world stage when he dethroned Joe Cordina in May 2024, the 37-year-old Northern Irishman has beaten Josh Warrington, Leigh Wood and Jazza Dickens. Ball will be returning to the ring for the first time since he was dropped twice and then stopped by Brandon Figueroa in February.
When the Everton Red Triangle fighter told Cacace his reign as world champion will be coming to an end, the Northern Irishman fired back: “Not a f**kin chance of it, not a chance.
“Nick is a great fighter. He’s my fifth world champion in-a-row but it’s just another fight and I’m looking forward to defending my title. At this level you’re not going to get any easy fights so it’s just whoever’s put to me.
Unification ambition
“I’d love to unify the division but whoever they put in front of me I’m willing to fight – anyone. I’m turning 38 and all these boys are 10 years younger than me.
“There’s no pressure on me, all I have to do is turn up and win and on December 19 I’m going to make sure that everyone is leaving that Arena happy.
“I’m expecting the toughest Nick Ball to date, he’s got the opportunity to become a two-weight world champion. That’s his dream and that’s massive so I’m going to prepare for a tough 12 rounds and I’m going to be happy.”
Ball's response
On the prospect of becoming a two-weight world champion, Ball admitted: “It’s another massive opportunity, the chance to become world champion at a new weight.
“A two-time, two-weight world champion… It’s something special so I’m excited and looking forward to it. The wins and the losses are part of boxing and it’s about going again and that’s what we’re doing here by coming to Belfast as the away fighter.
“He’s very popular so the atmosphere will be something else. I feel like everyone will be against me, I’ve seen some people underestimate me but that’s what’s going to get me up for it and want to prove people wrong after the last one.”
On his defeat to Figueroa, the 29-year-old reflected: "It was a good fight, back and forth for 12 rounds and he caught me with a good shot in the last round. He threw an overhand left counter as I was throwing, so that's what happened. It's boxing, it's part of the game."
