Super-featherweight Anthony Cacace pulled off a major upset in Saudi Arabia by stopping Joe Cordina in the eighth round to win the IBF world title. The Belfast underdog delivered a powerful performance, dropping the Welshman in the third round as Cordina struggled to regain his footing.
Cacace, 35, dominated the fight with relentless power punches, leading to the referee halting the contest after a flurry of shots. This victory marked a significant achievement for Cacace, who claimed his first world title in his 23rd professional fight. Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Cordina experienced his first defeat in his 18th professional bout.
In an emotional post-fight interview, Cacace expressed his disbelief at the victory, acknowledging Cordina’s impressive credentials as an Olympian and two-time world champion. “I am in shock, no one gave me a chance to do this,” said Cacace. He also expressed his respect for Cordina and a desire for a rematch.
The event, which took place on the undercard of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight showdown in Riyadh, also featured notable performances from other fighters. Nineteen-year-old British heavyweight Moses Itauma delivered a stunning second-round knockout against Ilja Mezencev, while fellow Briton Mark Chamberlain stopped Joshua Wahab in the first round of their lightweight contest.
