Sport

Pat Magee slams British Boxing Board after Anthony Cacace is denied title shot

Anthony Cacace lost a British title challenge against then champion Martin J Ward last year
Anthony Cacace lost a British title challenge against then champion Martin J Ward last year Anthony Cacace lost a British title challenge against then champion Martin J Ward last year

BELFAST super-featherweight Anthony Cacace will not fight for the British title after the British Boxing Board of Control ruled that Maxi Hughes would fight mandatory contender Sam Bowen for the belt vacated by Martin J Ward recently.

Bowen and Hughes must fight for the vacant title by May 31 and Cacace’s manager Pat Magee has lodged a protest with the board

“I don’t expect that my protest will be accepted,” he admitted.

“But I feel it is unjust and unfair because neither Bowen nor Hughes’ record matches Cacace’s.”

Hughes (16-2-2) was well beaten when he challenged Ward for the title last March while Cacace was narrowly out-pointed and Magee was confident he would be paired with Bowen to fight it out.

“I’m dumfounded by the decision,” said Magee.

“The British Board doesn’t have ratings but Cacace (16-1) is rated five by the EBU, Hughes is 12 and Bowen is not even rated.

“If you look at it Sam Bowen has had 12 fights and 12 wins, but he has only fought four British opponents, his last one was two years ago. Of the four he fought, between them they have won 12 and lost 120

“It’s totally unfair, there has been no quality assessment but their decision is final.”

Magee added: “I have to pursue other avenues.

“As far as I’m concerned I’m wasting my time trying to get Anthony a British title fight.

“The fight that is going ahead isn’t worthy of a British title - the British title is supposed to be decided between the best and that’s not happening here.”