Cacace to defend WBA super-feather title against Ball in Belfast

Anthony Cacace will make the first defence of his WBA super-featherweight world title against former featherweight champion Nick Ball at The 02 in Belfast on 19 December. The bout will see Cacace fighting on home soil against a Liverpudlian former world ruler.

Cacace, 37, captured the WBA belt in March with a points victory over James 'Jazza' Dickens in Dublin, taking his record to 25 wins and one loss. Since that victory he has added and then relinquished the IBF title, and his most recent fight in Belfast was an IBO defence against Damian Wrzesinski in May 2023 on the undercard of Luis Alberto Lopez's featherweight title win over Michael Conlan.

Speaking to DAZN, Cacace said: "Nick's a great fighter, ex-world champion, so I expect a good scrap. He's a hard man, so let's do it." He added: "I'll fight with him, I'll box him - whatever way he wants, so we'll see what happens on the night. I'm really looking forward to it. Belfast around Christmas time is going to be jumping, so I'm looking forward to it."

Ball arrives in Belfast following his first professional defeat, having been stopped in the final round by Brandon Figueroa in a defence of the WBA featherweight title in February. The Liverpudlian had won the featherweight title in 2024 via a points decision over Raymond Ford, three months after his initial world-title attempt finished as a draw with Rey Vargas.

Ball, whose record stands at 23-1-1, previously fought on the same Belfast card as Cacace in 2023 when he stopped Ludumo Lamati; Lamati suffered a stroke in the ring and has since recovered. On facing Cacace at a new weight, Ball said: "It's a massive opportunity at a new weight." He added: "He's a solid champion, so it's going to be a good fight. I'll be coming, he'll be coming, so it's going to be a good one."

The contest is scheduled for 19 December at The 02 in Belfast, where Cacace will defend the WBA super-featherweight title on home territory.