Dickens v Cacace: Dublin world title bout between veterans finely poised

For the champion, it was a case of third time being a charm as previous title shots at super-bantamweight in 2016 against Guillermo Rigondeaux and featherweight in 2021 against Kid Galahad came up short.

However, the move up in weight and switch to Dubai-based coach Albert Aryrapetyan has resulted in a remarkable upturn in fortunes.

After boxing his way to an eye-catching 10-round decision over Zelfa Barrett in February 2025, he showed a spiteful side when stopping 2020 Olympics gold medallist Albert Batyrgaziev to take the ‘interim’ WBA title five months later, improving to 36 wins with five defeats.

The Merseysider boxed superbly in a battle of southpaws, crouching and thudding home the right jab despite conceding the reach advantage with the Russian’s looping overhand shots whistling off target.

It’s somewhat similar on Saturday with Cacace holding the physical advantages, so perhaps forcing a high-pace battle on the inside will be his plan, posing a different challenge as the first southpaw Cacace has faced since a Celtic title win over Ronnie Clark in 2015.

“Yeah, he’s a southpaw and it’s been over 10 years since I’ve fought a southpaw but I’m not really thinking like that. I’m just thinking about what I can do,” Cacace – whose record stands at 24-1 – said of that conundrum.

“I watched a bit of the Barrett fight. You can look into all these things, but styles make fights and I can punch hard.

“I’m just going to have to see how Jazza can deal with my power and accuracy.”