IBO Super-featherweight world title: Anto Cacace (22-1) v Josh Warrington (31-3-1) (Saturday, Wembley Stadium, 6pm, live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN)
ANTO Cacace and Josh Warrington got stuck into an intense face-off at Friday night’s London weigh-in.
With Nelson’s Column on one side and the National Gallery on the other, Trafalgar Square was the perfect venue to showcase the noble art of ring warfare and the super-featherweight rivals didn’t waste their chance to get up close and personal for the first time this week.
Anger and tension, built up over weeks in training camp, came tumbling out. Insults were traded and oaths were taken as Cacace and Warrington locked horns with a phalanx of bouncers looking on ready to intervene
“I just told him exactly what I intend to do to him tomorrow night,” said Cacace, who was cheered on by a sizeable Irish support.
“We’re going to war, 100 per cent. I can do what I want: I can box him, I can fight him and all I expect from Josh is to come forward and I’m ready for that. I’m ready for whatever he’s bringing.
“He’s the Leeds Warrior, he’s a fighter and fighters don’t know when to give up but on Saturday hopefully I can put an end to that.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this and it’s a massive fight regardless of the titles. Josh is a massive name in Britain and I’m here to do the job.”
A St Patrick’s Day defence of his titles against Mexico’s Eduardo Nunez is the prize for Cacace if he can come through what will be an intense battle over 12 rounds.
He weighed in at 129.85lbs, just under the 130lb (9st 4lb) limit, for his IBO super-featherweight defence. ‘Leeds Warrior’ Warrington hit the scales at 129.55lbs and both are likely to be well over 10 stone by the time the bell rings at the home of English football.
Warrington will have 10,000 travelling fans roaring him on at Wembley. A former featherweight world champion, he has mixed in elite company for several years. ;He will give all he has on Saturday night and he believes that will be enough.
“I just let him know that I ain’t here to make the numbers up,” he said.
“I know it’s a big challenge and I’m here to win. I’ve trained my nuts off and I’m experienced. He thinks I can be out-fought and out-boxed – how many people have said that over the years?
“He was talking about how big he is as well, but size won’t come into it. I’m ready to go.
“I feel fantastic, I feel very, very good and this is going to be Josh Warrington rolling back the years. I’ll make sure I give all my fans what they’ve bought tickets to see and that’s a win.”
Meanwhile, amid all the razzmatazz, Eddie Hearn, joint promoter of this Rihadh Season event with Queensbury Boxing’s Frank Warren, used the stage to encourage support for grassroots boxing.
“This is a wonderful sport,” he said.
“Please get behind your local community clubs and the coaches who give their time to make sure that kids get opportunities to box.
“Any parents – and I’ve seen it for myself – I can tell you that walking through those gym doors can change your child’s life. It can change their mentality, it can change the drive and the passion they have whether it’s for boxing or whatever.
“Make sure you support your amateur boxing clubs.”