Dickens vs Cacace: WBA Super-Featherweight Title Clash in Dublin

James Dickens defends his WBA super-featherweight title against Anthony Cacace in Dublin. Both fighters seek to capitalize on late-career success in a high-stakes bout during St Patrick's weekend.

Fight Week Arrives for Dickens' Title Defence Against Cacace

James Dickens of Liverpool is set to defend his WBA super-featherweight world title for the first time against Belfast's Anthony Cacace this Saturday in Dublin.

The 3Arena will host the bout during St Patrick's weekend, coinciding with a major sporting event in the city as Ireland and Scotland face off in the Six Nations earlier the same day.

However, the evening will focus on boxing as these two fighters prepare to meet in the ring.

Both Dickens and Cacace embody the underdog narrative, having risen to prominence later in their careers after years competing without major recognition. Now in their 30s, they are eager to capitalize on their recent successes.

Cacace aims to become a two-time world champion, having previously held the IBF title two years ago, while Dickens seeks to maximize his reign after capturing the world title on his third attempt.

WBC champin O'Shaquie Foster — Image caption, O'Shaquie Foster holds the WBC title

Fighter Statistics

At 34 years old, Dickens is the younger and more experienced fighter, having competed in 41 professional bouts totaling 262 rounds. He holds 36 wins, 15 by knockout, and has suffered five losses, four of which were by stoppage.

The Liverpudlian fights as a southpaw, standing 5ft 5in tall with a 63-inch reach, making him the smaller competitor.

Cacace, who recently turned 37, has participated in 25 fights spanning 173 rounds, with 24 wins including nine knockouts, and only one defeat.

Although listed as a southpaw, Cacace predominantly boxes in an orthodox stance but is comfortable switching between both. He measures 5ft 10in in height and has a significant reach advantage of 71 inches.

Division Title Holders

O'Shaquie Foster currently holds the WBC super-featherweight title.

Emanuel Navarrete recently unified the division by adding the IBF title, previously held by Cacace, to his WBO championship. Navarrete, a three-division champion, secured this unification by stopping Eduardo 'Sugar' Nunez in Arizona on 28 February, asserting himself as the division's leading fighter.

Foster, an American, won the WBC's interim lightweight title in December but relinquished it to maintain his status as the super-featherweight champion.

The victor of Saturday's fight may pursue unification bouts against these contemporaries later in the year.

James Dickens' Path to the Title

Dickens was elevated to full WBA champion after winning the interim title by defeating Albert Batyrgaziev last July.

Both fighters have experienced late-career success. Dickens previously challenged unsuccessfully for world titles at super-bantamweight against Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2016 and at featherweight against Kid Galahad in 2021.

His career appeared to be in decline following a loss to Hector Andres Sosa in 2023, but he revitalized his trajectory by moving to super-featherweight.

After two straightforward victories, Dickens stepped up to face Zelfa Barrett, winning on points, followed by a career-best performance stopping 2020 Olympic gold medallist Batyrgaziev in the fourth round of the WBA interim title fight in Turkey last July.

With Lamont Roach stripped of the world title, Dickens was promoted to full champion. He returns to Dublin for his first title defence, a city familiar to him from his years training under coach Peter Taylor before relocating to Dubai.

Anthony Cacace after his IBF title win over Joe Cordina — Image caption, Cacace claimed the IBF title with victory over Joe Cordina in May 2024

Anthony Cacace's Journey

Cacace's career seemed stalled after his only defeat to Martin J Ward in a 2017 British and Commonwealth title bout.

He regained momentum by winning the British title in 2019, but subsequent fight cancellations slowed his progress.

His victory over Michael Magnesi for the IBO belt in 2022 reignited his career, but his major breakthrough came in May 2024 when he challenged IBF champion Joe Cordina.

On the undercard of the first Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury fight in Saudi Arabia, Cacace stopped Cordina in eight rounds.

He followed this with a win over Josh Warrington at Wembley Stadium later that year; however, this was not an official title defence as Warrington was ineligible to contest the belt.

At the start of 2025, Cacace vacated the IBF title to face former featherweight world champion Leigh Wood in May, winning by eighth-round stoppage in Nottingham.

Image caption, Dublin's Pierce O'Leary will fight in his home city for the first time as a professional

Fighter Statements

James Dickens: "A first defence in your second favourite city in the world - you couldn't make it up. It's been some journey so far and I'm very happy.

There are many ways to skin a cat and I have many tools in my armoury to find a way, as I always do.

You've got to make the most of this opportunity as this can always be your last.

I recognise who he is as a champion. The late start he's had, nothing's been handed to him so I know what it means for him to lose in this situation. I don't want to be the guy to lose to him, so that's why I know I have to be 100 percent."

Anthony Cacace: "Fighting for my second world championship is what dreams are made of.

Over 13 months, I had three championship fights and three training camps which I think took their toll on me but I feel brand new now and I'm ready to rock.

I fully respect Jazza as he has given me another crack at a world title in my own country.

It may not be all-action but I am ready to push it. You don't get paid for overtime so I want to be stopping these lads and make proper good fights for the public."

Undercard Highlights

The chief support features Dublin's Pierce O'Leary fighting professionally in his hometown for the first time, taking on replacement Maxi Hughes for the vacant IBO light-welterweight title.

Originally, Portsmouth's Mark Chamberlain was scheduled to face O'Leary, but he withdrew due to an infection, with Yorkshire's Hughes stepping up in weight for the bout.

The vacant IBO super-featherweight title is also contested between Dubliner Jono Carroll and Belfast's Colm Murphy. Additionally, Southampton's undefeated super-featherweight Ryan Garner is on the card, aiming to secure a future opportunity against the main event winner.

Other undercard fights include: