Cacace

If there is a lesson to be found in keeping the faith when faced with setbacks, look no further than the career of Anthony Cacace.

On Saturday in Dublin’s 3 Arena, the 37-year-old bids to become a two-time super-featherweight world champion when taking on WBA holder James ‘Jazza’ Dickens.

However, for much of his professional career, Cacace was something of a forgotten man.

His talent was never in question, but breaks were measured in x-rays rather than opportunities with injuries, opponent withdrawals and cancellations all too common.

Nonetheless, he kept grinding and grafting, pads by day and pizza delivery by night; waiting, hoping and believing his time would come.

The big chance arrived in May 2024 against IBF champion Joe Cordina on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Back with his old amateur team headed by Michael Hawkins, Cacace – born to a Belfast mother and Italian father – grabbed the opportunity with both hands, returning home to a hero’s welcome and given the ultimate honour of a mural painted close to his parents’ Andersonstown home in the west of the city to mark the occasion.

He hasn’t looked back, defeating Josh Warrington at Wembley Stadium later that year and after vacating the IBF title, beating Leigh Wood in Nottingham in May 2025, improving his record to 24 wins with one defeat.

“Fighting for my second world title, things can’t get better than that,” Cacace told BBC Sport NI as he prepared for another training day at Holy Trinity Boxing Club.

“I’ve had my fair share of letdowns and pull-outs at the last minute, but I can’t complain because it’s been all in God’s plan. I really do genuinely believe everything that’s happened has happened for a reason to set me up for times like these.

“To be up here with the boys [coaching team]: Ruairi [Dalton], Michael [Hawkins Jr], Barry [O’Neill], Micky [Hawkins] Sr – it’s been set for me, I genuinely believe.

“It’s like a dream come true, and I’m just really enjoying where I’m at at the moment.”

Chief support will see Dublin’s Pierce O’Leary fight in his home city for the first time as a pro when he takes on replacement Maxi Hughes with the vacant IBO light-welterweight belt up for grabs.

Portsmouth’s Mark Chamberlain was due to face O’Leary, but he was forced to withdraw because of an infection with Yorkshire’s Hughes stepping up in weight for the challenge.

The vacant IBO super-featherweight title is also on offer as Dubliner Jono Carroll and Belfast’s Colm Murphy lock horns, while an interesting addition to the card is Southampton’s undefeated super-featherweight Ryan Garner, who will be keen to earn a crack at the winner of the main event.

James Dickens v Anthony Cacace – WBA world super-featherweight title

Pierce O’Leary v Maxi Hughes – vacant IBO light-welterweight title

Jono Carroll v Colm Murphy – vacant IBO super-featherweight title

Steven Cairns v Arnie Dawson – lightweight

Eoghan Lavin v Liam Walsh – middleweight

Ryan Garner v TBA – super-featherweight

Barry McReynolds v Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira – light-welterweight

Davey Joyce v TBA – super-featherweight

Adam Olaniyan v TBA – heavyweight

Gary Cully v Benito Sanchez Garcia – light-welterweight

Thomas Carty v German Skobenko – heavyweight

Bobbi Flood v Bela Istvan Orban – middleweight

Eugene McKeever v TBA – light-middleweight

Running order and times to be confirmed