IBO super-featherweight title: Anthony Cacace bt Damian Wrzesinski UD
ANTO Cacace retained his IBO belt with a very solid 12 rounds in which he looked sharp and fit and ready for a step up to the IBF world title shot which he wants “as soon as my hands heal”.
Cacace deserves his shot later this year after he took care of business with a dominant display against his Polish opponent. The judges scored it 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112 to the Belfast 34-year-old.
“I hurt my hand in the second round,” said Cacace.
“It’s not an excuse because it wasn’t a good performance but a win’s a win. There were a couple of mistakes I made that I shouldn’t have made but it is what it is – a win’s a win. I want Cordina, Navarette... Any of the main champions next. I’ve served my time in this game, I’ve given everything to it so where’s my wee bit back.”
Broad-shouldered and tall, two Cacace right hands were an early statement of intent and there wasn’t much coming back from Pole and when he did open up in the second there was little power on his punches.
Cacace was in no trouble and he turned and smiled at Wrzesinski as he headed for his stool at the end of the third.
By the end of the fourth a stoppage win for Cacace was looking on the cards but ‘The Apache’ was content to box within himself and pick his moments to stop out-jabbing him and burst into action and sting the Pole with powerful shots.
Wrzesinski was determined however and he soaked up two left hooks in the ninth and he battled on to the finish without ever looking like causing an upset.
Earlier there were wins for Conor Quinn, Kurt Walker, Pierce O'Leary, William Hayden and Callum Thompson.
