Anthony Cacace finally caught a break in his hard luck career.
BoxingScene.com has learned that plans are in place for Belfast’s Cacace to challenge two-time and reigning IBF junior lightweight titlist Joe Cordina. The bout is targeted for February 17 on the undercard of the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The development was first reported by IFL TV’s Colm McGuigan.
Cordina (17-0, 9KOs) will attempt the second defense of his current title reign.
It will mark a relatively quick turnaround for the unbeaten Welshman, who most recently turned away a stiff challenge from Texas’ Edward Vazquez last November 4 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Cordina regained the IBF title in a twelve-round decision win over Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov last April 22 in his Cardiff hometown. He was previously stripped of the belt for failure to honor a mandatory defense versus Rakhimov after he suffered a broken hand ahead of their planned November 2022 meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Cacace (21-1, 7KOs) has won six in a row since his lone career defeat. However, his career has been crippled by inactivity. He was due to fight on Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren’s Magnificent Seven card in a scheduled 12-round IBO title fight versus Ryan Garner last November 18 but was forced to withdraw due to a wrist injury.
The setback left him out of the ring since last May 27 when he soundly outpointed Poland’s Damian Wrzesinski over twelve rounds in his Belfast hometown. This bout will mark Cacace’s first shot at a major title.
The show will mark the third event to take place during the current Riyadh season. It kicked off—from a boxing perspective—with Fury’s near-scare versus former UFC heavyweight champion and pro boxing debutant Francis Ngannou last October 28. Most recently, the region played host to the December 23 ‘Day of Reckoning’ eight-fight mega card.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox