Anthony Cacace Captures WBA Title and Immediately Calls Out Emanuel Navarrete for Unification Fight

Anthony Cacace has etched his family name deeper into boxing history by capturing the WBA super-featherweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Liverpool Jazza Dickens, and the 37-year-old Belfast fighter wasted no time in calling for a unification bout with Mexico Emanuel Navarrete.

The victory marked Cacace second world championship, adding to the IBF title he previously held after defeating Joe Cordina in May 2024. Now holding the WBA belt, the west Belfast native has his sights firmly set on becoming the undisputed champion of the 130-pound division.

Give me Navarrete - it is not that hard to make, so let us make it, Cacace declared immediately after Saturday victory improved his professional record to 25 wins and one loss. I can beat Navarrete and these guys, so that is what I am aiming for now.

Navarrete currently holds both the IBF and WBO titles that would complete a unification scenario, while USA O Shaquie Foster possesses the WBC crown. For Cacace, who acknowledges that time is not on his side at 37 years old, these remaining career opportunities must count toward legacy-building achievements.

The triumph over Dickens was far from a vintage performance, as Cacace admitted he delivered a below-par display despite controlling the majority of rounds. The styles never really gelled, but I believe I can do better and unify, the champion reflected on what many observers considered a tactical rather than explosive encounter.

Cacace best moment came during the fifth round when he unleashed a sustained attack on Dickens, appearing to hurt the Liverpool fighter significantly. However, a pre-fight injury to his left hand prevented him from capitalizing fully on his dominant spell.

I tagged him and I could have had him out of there, but that is where the sharpness and the sparring comes in, Cacace explained. I genuinely believed that I punched way too hard for him, but I just had to keep it nice and safe.

The hand injury had created mental challenges in the dressing room before the fight, but Cacace overcame the negativity to deliver a controlled performance that satisfied the judges across all three scorecards.

Promoter Frank Warren expressed enthusiasm about pursuing the unification opportunities that Cacace victory has created. Of course I would like to see it and that is what we want to do, Warren stated. He is a two-time world champion and wants to unify the belts, so we will work on doing that.

For Cacace, the motivation extends beyond personal achievement to honoring his Italian heritage through his father surname, which originates from just outside Sorrento. No-one really heard of Cacace, but now the name is known, the champion said with evident pride.

The victory has particular significance for his west Belfast community, where young supporters from St Agnes GAA club and Holy Child primary school have embraced their local hero. When I hear the kids at St Agnes all coming together and singing Oh, Anto Cacace and kids from my old primary school screaming my name, it fills me with pride and makes me emotional.

Cacace remains grounded despite his championship success, declining celebratory open-top bus parades and maintaining his focus on inspiring the next generation. I am just a normal boy from Andytown and I want to show anyone can do this. With hard work, dedication and sacrifice, anyone can get here.

The newly crowned champion faces critical decisions about his remaining career moves, with unification fights representing his best opportunity to achieve undisputed status before time eventually catches up with his championship ambitions.