Today’s guest, Anthony Cacace, fights champ Joe Cordina for the IBF world super-featherweight title in Saudi Arabia on February 17 as part of the Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury undisputed heavyweight championship card. Cacace, dubbed Ireland’s most talented fighter by fans - and our unluckiest by a few - has experienced many of the highs and lows the sport has to offer since he last joined us on the show in November 2021. In April of 2022 he had the rug pulled out from under him when a fight at Wembley Stadium (on Fury v Dillian Whyte) was cancelled virtually at the last minute when his opponent couldn’t get a visa, and all his sacrifices in the lead-up were ultimately for nothing. He considered hanging up the gloves there and then ("F*** boxing!") but five months later, was vindicated for carrying on. That’s when he became IBO champ with a classy victory over Michael Magnesi in Manchester. He boxed once in 2023, defending the belt in his hometown of Belfast to keep the dream of one day headlining in the city alive. Despite blow after blow, knock after knock, things have started to turn for Cacace. And anyone associated with boxing in Ireland beyond will have been happy to hear he’s getting an even bigger opportunity in his next bout. Wales’ IBF world champ Joe Cordina will be the man in the opposite corner as Cacace gets the chance to become Ireland’s first ever world super-featherweight champion. Here, he talks about his rocky road to this point, getting over the low moments and coming out stronger, and why his biggest payday will see him making a trip down to the estate agent’s when all’s said and done.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.