Cacace to face Ball in Belfast world title defence

Anthony Cacace will defend his WBA super-featherweight world title against former featherweight champion Nick Ball at The O2 in Belfast on December 19. The high-profile contest gives the 37-year-old Belfast native home advantage as he prepares for the first defence of his world championship belt.

Cacace secured the WBA title in March following a points decision victory over Liverpool fighter James 'Jazza' Dickens in Dublin. That victory improved Cacace's professional boxing record to 25 wins and one loss. The Northern Ireland boxer previously won and relinquished the IBF title, establishing himself as a two-time world champion at super-featherweight.

The upcoming event marks Cacace's first bout in his hometown since May 2023. During that previous home appearance, he successfully defended his IBO belt against Damian Wrzesinski on the undercard of the featherweight title showdown between Luis Alberto Lopez and Michael Conlan.

Speaking to DAZN about the scheduled bout, Cacace praised his challenger as a great fighter and former world champion. He stated he expects a hard fight and is prepared to adapt his tactics depending on how the match develops, adding that Belfast around Christmas time will provide a lively atmosphere.

Nick Ball enters the contest seeking to become a two-weight world champion in his first fight at the higher weight class. The Liverpool boxer holds a professional record of 23 wins, one loss, and one draw.

Ball is looking to rebound from his first career defeat in February, when he was stopped in the final round by Brandon Figueroa while defending his WBA featherweight title. The Liverpudlian had won that belt earlier in 2024 with a points victory over Raymond Ford, which followed a draw in his first world title attempt against then-WBC champion Rey Vargas.

Ball also has experience fighting in Belfast, having performed on the same May 2023 fight card as Cacace. On that night, Ball stopped opponent Ludumo Lamati, who suffered a stroke in the ring but has since recovered.

Ball described the upcoming fight against Cacace as a massive opportunity at a new weight. He noted that Cacace is a solid champion and predicted that both fighters will press forward to deliver an entertaining fight.

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