Anthony Cacace gunning for O’Shaquie Foster-Stephen Fulton winner

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – Anthony Cacace is already eying up more silverware following his ninth-round stoppage of former featherweight champion Leigh Wood.

Cacace successfully defended his IBO junior lightweight title last night at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena after dishing out a beating on Wood, forcing Wood’s trainer Ben Davison to throw in the towel. Wood had not fought in 19 months and did not look himself on fight night in his home city. Many expected a barnburner between Wood and Cacace, two men who always deliver entertaining fights, but Wood was just unable to get a foothold to make it competitive.

Cacace, who vacated his IBF title in January in order to face Wood, has now added Wood’s name to a list of two-time world champions he has beaten, which includes Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington.

“I thought it was going to be tougher,” Cacace told BoxingScene. “Leigh, his timing wasn’t really there. It was easy to pick him off. But listen, it was a great fight. It was a different experience. Another two-time world champion. Three in a row. It wasn’t supposed to be easy. I got the job done. I’m just delighted with it.”

Wood looked a shadow of the fighter who knocked out Michael Conlan and beat Mauricio Lara convincingly, and now, at 36 years old, and after suffering perhaps the biggest beating of his career to date, many believe the Nottingham fighter should walk away from the sport. Cacace does not believe that age played a factor in the fight, but admitted it may be time for Wood to call it a day.

“I think it was ring rust,” he said. “His timing was seriously off sometimes. He was coming in with a double jab and he was putting nothing behind it. But he was getting hit and he was being cautious. If I was Leigh, he’s made his money, he’s got a family, I would retire now. This is no disrespect because he’s still a great fighter, but just enjoy life. Sometimes this game gets a bit tough and that’s just the way it is.”

And how long does Cacace, also 36 years old, have left in the sport?

“Until I lose, you know what I mean?” Cacace said. “We’ll see how it goes. I’m on and I’m running my life, so whenever.”

Cacace identified WBC junior featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster as the next man on his hit list. Cacace wants to replace the IBF title he vacated for a bigger payday with Wood for the iconic green and gold belt.

“Yeah, that’s the man,” he said of Foster. “Give me the word titles. There’s another word title I can put in the house; put it in my trophy box. It would be nice. It’s a belt that I’ve always wanted, so why not? It would be lovely.”

Foster is reportedly in negotiations to defend his title against WBC featherweight titleholder Stephen Fulton. Cacace has no problem facing Fulton, should he be victorious against Foster.

“Anyone, anyone, show me the money,” he said.