Cacace's Next Chapter: Targeting a Showdown with Leigh Wood

Anto Cacace, the rising boxing star from Belfast, has set his sights on Leigh Wood as a possible next opponent following the latter's recent decision to vacate his IBF world super-featherweight title. Cacace, who captured his own world title in May 2024 by defeating Joe Cordina in a stunning eighth-round knockout, is now contemplating a future that could include high-profile matchups against prominent names in the boxing world.

After securing his title in the exhilarating atmosphere of Saudi Arabia, Cacace further solidified his reputation with a unanimous decision victory against Josh Warrington at Wembley Stadium four months later, despite that bout not being for the title. Following the recent developments regarding his mandatory challenger, Eduardo 'Sugar' Nunez, Cacace has found himself unshackled and open to new possibilities in the sport.

In an interview with BBC Sport NI, Cacace expressed optimism about the potential fight with Wood, stating:

"It doesn't seem to be much of a secret but there's a couple of names in the mix."
He emphasized the importance of paving a legacy that his family could be proud of, saying, "I feel like it's a better decision to vacate for my family's future and for my future to create a legacy in this sport, and for my name to be remembered for big fights - so I think it's the correct choice."

Cacace's journey has been remarkable, especially considering the odds he faced going into the match against Cordina. It was on the undercard of the much-anticipated heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk that he shocked the audience by delivering a relentless performance, which led to Cordina's first professional defeat.

Leigh Wood, the Nottingham fighter and former featherweight world champion, holds victories over other top-tier boxers, including Michael Conlan and Josh Warrington. However, since his last fight against Warrington in October 2023, Wood has been absent from the ring. Should a match between Cacace and Wood be arranged, it would undoubtedly be a significant event in the boxing calendar, adding another thrilling chapter to Cacace's budding career.

Cacace's rise through the ranks and his potential matchup with a two-time world champion could redefine his future in boxing, marking him not only as a contender but as a fighter who is serious about making his mark in the sport's history.