Where does Cacace vs Wood fit into the super featherweight Landscape?
Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood return to the ring on Saturday at the Nottingham Arena for a super featherweight showdown, live on DAZN.
This will be Wood's first fight at super featherweight after struggling for some time to make the 126lbs limit.
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Cacace recently vacated his IBF belt. He believes fighting Wood instead of the mandatory for his former title, Eduardo 'Sugar' Nunez will be beneficial for his future in the sport.
'The Apache' told BBC Sport: 'I feel like it's a better decision to vacate for my future to create a legacy in this sport, and for my name to be remembered for big fights.'
Whatever outcome arises from this weekend's bout in Nottingham will grossly impact the careers of both former champions.
The IBO title
Cacace acquired the IBO belt in 2022, and it will be on the line against Wood, but due to the relationship between the IBO and the 'big four' organisations, it will have little to no bearing on the ability of the winner to unify with other belts.
The IBO are excluded from the agreement between WBA, WBO, IBF and WBC that a champion from the 'big four' can bypass the rankings in order to unify the titles.
Rankings
Cacace is ranked as the number three super featherweight by The Ring behind O'Shaquie Foster and Emmanuel Navarette. He also holds the minor IBO title, so a victory against a former featherweight title holder in Wood will position Cacace as a world-level contender and potentially open up an opportunity for him to eventually challenge again forhis former IBF title.
Cacace told Boxing Scene: 'It's the big fights now, but, you know, the winner of me and Wood – which will be myself – will box for a world title. I don't know [who it will be against yet], but you'll find out pretty soon.'
Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing
Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.
See Schedule
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
It is a different story for Wood. After over eighteen months out of the ring, he may not have any rankings in his new division, but he carries the status of his former WBA featherweight title. A win against the former IBF champion may pave the way for a shot at a world title or a favourable ranking.
The 130 lbs division is headed by three champions: O'Shaquie Foster (WBC), Emmanuel Navarrete (WBO) and Lamont Roach (WBA).
Foster (29-3) recaptured his world title at the end of the 2024, beating Robson Conceicao by split decision in a rematch.
Navarette (39-2-1) beat Oscar Valdez to claim the WBO title in December last year, knocking out the Mexican in the sixth round. He is set to defend his title against Charly Suarez on the same night Wood and Cacace will fight.
In his last fight, Roach (25-1-2), moved up to the lightweight division to challenge for Gervonta 'Tank' Davis' WBA title, but the fight ended a draw. A rematch is rumoured. In the super featherweight division, Roach beat Hector Luis Garcia to become WBA champion in 2023.
Against this backdrop, a win for Cacace would solidify his standing as one of the top contenders and potentially open up another world title opportunity in the twilight of his career. For Wood, a successful move to super featherweight could fast-track him into rankings with a win over the vacated IBF champion and as the former WBA featherweight champion.
Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription
DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more.
An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Top-six finish for Martindale's Livingston?
We asked for your views on Livingston's Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 what some of you said:Paul: I believe Livingston will hit the ground running this season. I expect us to pick up points against Kilmarnock and Falkirk to start things off. We'll likely lose at Parkhead, but there's a good chance we could get something from the Hearts game at home. By October, I'd say we'll be sitting Top-six finish, no problem.
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Hard to predict' Kilmarnock's season amid summer of change
We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 what some of you said:Robert: At least we don't have the Old Firm in the first couple of games. Really hard to say how Killie will do as no-one has seen this team play under the new manager. Just hope we beat Hearts four times this A solid start to the Premiership and League Cup groups, sitting between fifth and seventh playing with a definable After 10 games I am hoping Kilmarnock will be sitting eighth or ninth to be honest as that is a tough run of games to begin with. The team will have to gel quickly to make its mark and battle for points. Hopefully the new signings will help us fill the voids of those who had left. The use of the youth team players could help as they need to see some game time as well. David Watson will be out main focal point in midfield this year and well I have no idea where we will be after 10 games. New manager with a lot of changes to the squad. Bit worried about whether the new signings will live up to Stuart Kettlewell's expectationsGarry: A nice run of fixtures. Don't need to worry about Celtic until 13 September at home and then Rangers away at the end of October. Hopefully we can see improvement and be mid-table by the end of the first group of games.
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Tough start' for Well but fans have faith in 'Askou-ball'
We asked for your views on Motherwell's Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 what some of you said:Clare: Well, well, well, what can I say, I am feeling very positive about where the new manager wants us to finish, which is in the top six. Our opening day fixture against Rangers, well at least it's at home. All I can say for the season ahead is 'bring it on' because this is my fourth season being a season ticket holder and I am just so excited and pumped. Time will tell if my feelings will Twenty points after 10 games, you heard it here first. Askou-ball from the start!D: A tough start certainly, but if we have aspirations of top six then we need to get results in some of these games. Games against the Old Firm don't define our season, but we need to get points against the rest of the sides. Will be interesting to see what style the new manager Sadly I think we are heading for relegation this year. And we will be in the bottom four after the first 10 Tough start so need to get up and running and playing with confidence - will need to boost the squad immediately.
