Dickens vs. Kakas: Both fighters leave their talking to the ring

Despite the miserable weather, it was not a storm in Dublin on Thursday, but a storm was quietly brewing for Saturday night when James “Jazza” Dickens put his WBA super featherweight world title on the line against Anthony Cacace at the city’s Arena 3.

As it stands, there were no bold statements or gimmicks from either of them in the final press conference on Thursday, as their no-frills approach to the fight game ensured that the exchanges were free and not confrontational.

Billed as Cinderella man versus Cinderella man, the pair have traveled over rough terrain to get here and that makes it perfect.

Both have faced setbacks in boxing, with the 34-year-old Dickens coming up short in world title fights at bantamweight and featherweight before claiming gold when he was promoted from the “interim” title he won against Albert Batyrgaziev last summer.

Kakas, 37, suffered years of disappointment before stopping Joe Cordina in the IBF edition in May 2024, opting to vacate to face Lee Wood in Nottingham last year.

“Until that bell, all of it [build-up] Liverpool’s Dickens said: “This is just nonsense and we have to sit here and talk.”

“We just love fighting but that’s part of the job. I think we just want to get in there and get respect, throw some punches and shake hands afterward.”

Cacace is cut from the same cloth with the Belfast man fully aware of what it took the hero to get here considering he traveled a similar road.

He added: “There is no point in sitting here and saying: I will do this and that, because we are fighters and one punch can change everything.”

“I know Gazza has a big heart, like me. We are very similar in terms of profession, so I completely respect Gazza for what he has done in his career. He is here for the same reason I am – to put food on the table for his family and that is the bottom line.”