Dickens vs. Cacace: New champion Anto Cacace wants to unify with Navarrete

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

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

While some still have difficulty pronouncing the nickname, inherited from his father who hails from outside Sorrento in Italy, there appears to be plenty of opportunity to practice as the boxer from Belfast seeks to become the undisputed man in the 4lb (59kg) ninth division and put his name on the lips of his rivals.

A victory over Joe Cordina in May 2024 saw him fulfill his dream of lifting the IBF title – since relinquished – and he now adds another with a unanimous decision win over Liverpool’s ‘Gazza’ Dickens on Saturday, with the champion feeling even more satisfied with putting “my father’s name in the history books”.

“No one has really heard of Cakas but the name is now known,” the 37-year-old from Andersonstown in west Belfast said after his win.

Given what he deemed a “sub-par performance” against Dickens on Saturday, his wish list remains clear.

Mexican Emanuel Navarrete now holds the former International Boxing Federation belt in addition to the WBO version, while American Oshaki Foster is the king of the World Boxing Council.

At 37 years old, time is not on Cacace’s side, and although he maintains he will fight again, these are the last few laps of his career.

“Give me Navarrete – it’s not hard to do, so let’s go for it,” he said after Saturday’s win, which extended his record to 25 wins and one loss.

“Patterns [against Dickens] I never improved but I think I can do better and standardize.

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

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

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

“he [Cacace] He is a two-time world champion and wants to unify the belts, so we will work to do that.”