Anthony Cacace Defeats Joe Cordina to win IBF super-featherweight title

In a stunning upset in Saudi Arabia, super-featherweight Anthony Cacace claimed the IBF world title by defeating Joe Cordina in the eighth round.

The Belfast underdog delivered a commanding performance, overpowering the Welshman from the early rounds. Cacace showcased his dominance by dropping Cordina in the third round, setting the tone for the remainder of the fight.

Throughout the match, Cacace continued to assert his authority with powerful punches, eventually leading to the referee stopping the contest in the eighth round after a barrage of shots from Cacace.

Cordina, aged 32, suffered his first defeat in his 18th professional fight, as Cacace, aged 35, secured his maiden world title in his 23rd bout.

Reflecting on his unexpected victory, Cacace expressed his disbelief, stating, “I am in shock, no-one gave me a chance to do this. Joe is a hell of a competitor, an Olympian, and a two-time world champion. I have nothing but respect for him, and I want to run it back.”

The defeat left Cordina devastated, and he left the ring without giving a post-fight interview.

Cordina’s career has been marred by injuries, and he admitted to being below his best in his previous outing, a challenging majority points win over Edward Vazquez in November.

However, Cacace’s dominant performance caught many by surprise, announcing his arrival on the world stage in emphatic fashion.

“From here on in I want to be in Saudi Arabia every time,” Cacace added, expressing his desire for future bouts in the Middle Eastern country.