IBF super-featherweight champion Anthony Cacace says he is on “cloud nine” after his unanimous decision win over Josh Warrington at Wembley on Saturday.
Cacace, whose world title was not on the line, backed up his stunning victory over Joe Cordina in May by beating two-time featherweight world champion Warrington in London.
And the 35-year-old was looking forward to returning home to Andersonstown in west Belfast to savour the celebrations after another memorable win.
“I’m buzzing to drive up home to Andytown. I’m going to get some sweets and chocolate tonight from the shop and enjoy it,” Cacace told BBC Sport NI after arriving back at Belfast City Airport.
“I’m on cloud nine and so are my team, it was a hard fight, take nothing away from Josh.
“That is back-to-back world champions I have defeated, and I never thought my life would come to this, so it is overwhelming.”
‘I want to cement my name in Irish boxing’
Looking ahead to what comes next, Cacace indicated on Saturday night that while Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez is his mandatory challenger at super-featherweight, he has ambitions of moving into the heavier class against the likes of four-time world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko or Gervonta Davis.
And longer term, he is hoping to be remembered as one of the greats in the storied history of boxing in Northern Ireland.
“Whatever happens, happens. I could go to America, I could come to headline the SSE in Belfast, I would love to, but everything that comes from here is a bonus for me,” he continued.
“I think I can beat him [Lomachenko], he is very good and I will give it my all. The guy is legendary, but I would fight him in the morning! As long as things are right for my family, everything is possible.
“I want to cement my name in Irish boxing some way or other. I would love to do something out of the ordinary, if that was winning another belt or moving up a weight to win a bel, I want to go down as one of the greatest from this country.”
Before that though, Cacace is looking forward to a break, with no fights scheduled for the rest of this year as he looks to recover from injuries sustained against Warrington.
“I need a break, I’m going to rest and enjoy the rest of the year,” Cacace said.
“I have the cut on my eye and the one on the back of my head, they’re going to take three months to heal so hopefully after Christmas some time I can come back and do something special.”
