West Belfast boxer Anthony Cacace celebrated his historic world title fight victory in Saudi Arabia with another global sporting superstar - footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cacace (35), who is known as the ‘Andytown Apache’, won the IBF super-featherweight title on Saturday night when the Holy Trinity Boxing Club pugilist defeated Welshman Joe Cordina at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.
He becomes the first Irish fighter to hold the title.
Following the bout, which proceeded the heavyweight clash in which Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk defeated England’s Tyson Fury, Cacace was pictured meeting fans in the arena, which included Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese footballing legend and former Manchester United striker, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, congratulated Cacace and posed for pictures with the Andersonstown fighter and members of his team from Holy Trinity.
Cristiano Ronaldo congratulating Anthony Cacace & Team last night at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh after Anto unified the Super Feather weight division and became Irelands 1st ever Super Featherweight champion of the World 🌍 pic.twitter.com/u80iaeK7gX
— Michael Hawkins Jnr (@Hawkies16) May 19, 2024
The boxing club’s Michael Hawkins Jr posted pictures of the soccer star meeting Cacace and his team to social media.
Others to congratulate Cacace on his historic victory included fellow Belfast boxer Michael Conlon, who said in a post to the X platform that he was “buzzing” after seeing the win.
He added that Holy Trinity’s Mickey Hawkins gave him “the perfect prep for his most important fight”.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the fight, Cacace said his win was for his family.
“I want to tell my wife and kids, I love them so much and I did this for you,” he said, before speaking of his pride at representing his beloved Andersonstown.
“I love you all, my fans back home. I am Andytown proud. And I am bringing this belt back to Andytown. The first Irish super-featherweight champion of the world, and I am proud to make history tonight.”
He said he was a “wee lad from Andytown” who “came all the way to Saudi Arabia and smashed up a champion”.
