Dickens v Cacace: New champion Anto Cacace wants unification with Navarrete

What is your why? Whether business or pleasure, it’s a question many ponder in regard to what drives them and Anthony Cacace is no different.

Putting food on the table remains priority for the newly-crowned WBA super-featherweight champion, but now it’s also about etching the family name into the tapestry of world boxing.

While some still struggle with the pronunciation of the surname, inherited from his father who hails from just outside Sorrento in Italy, there appears to be plenty of opportunity for practice as the Belfast boxer seeks to become the undisputed man of the 9st 4lb (59kg) division and put his name on the lips of his rivals.

Victory over Joe Cordina in May 2024 saw him realise a dream by lifting the IBF title – since relinquished – and now adding another by way of a unanimous decision victory over Liverpool’s ‘Jazza’ Dickens on Saturday, the champion took added satisfaction by putting “my daddy’s name down in the history books”.

“No-one really heard of Cacace but now the name’s known,” the 37-year-old from Andersonstown in west Belfast said after his victory.

Reflecting on what he assessed as a “below-par performance” against Dickens on Saturday, the wish-list remains clear.

Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete now holds his former IBF belt as well as the WBO version, while USA’s O’Shaquie Foster is the reigning WBC king.

At 37 years of age, time isn’t on Cacace’s side and while be confirmed he will fight again, these last few laps of his career will have to gount.

“Give me Navarrete – it’s not that hard to make, so let’s make it,” he said after Saturday’s victory which improves his record to 25 victories and one loss.

“The styles [against Dickens] never really gelled but I believe I can do better and unify.

“I can beat Navarrete and these guys, so that’s what I’m aiming for now.”

His promoter, Frank Warren, was happy to join in that particular chorus.

“Of course I’d like to see it and that’s what we want to do,” he said.

“He [Cacace] is a two-time world champion and wants to unify the belts, so we’ll work on doing that.”