ANTHONY CACACE put his name up in lights in Manchester in September last year when he became IBO world super featherweight champion by defeating the previously unbeaten holder Michael Magnesi over 12 compelling rounds.

It proved what many boxing fans have known for years in that Cacace may not be the biggest name boxer in the 130lb division, but he is more than capable of upsetting any of the division’s leading lights.

Ask most Belfast boxers to name the most talented boxer in the city and many will say; ‘Anto Cacace,’ without pausing.

He signed for Queensberry in March 2020, just three months after upsetting Sam Bowen to claim the British championship.

Since signing for Frank Warren’s organisation he has been desperately unlucky in staying active despite everyone’s best efforts.

His first defence against Lyon Woodstock was postponed four times because of injury and illness, but the simmering feud was settled by impressive Cacace in August 2021.

Southpaw Anto thrashed Woodstock on points over 12 rounds winning clearly on the cards and his challenger was lucky to hear the final bell.

It was a World class performance after almost 21 months on the sidelines and showed what he can do at the highest level.

Cacace who makes ends meet as a gardener believes having Frank Warren in his corner offers him a one-way ticket to the top and so it is proving.

However, misfortune struck Cacace again in April when his fight on the undercard of the Tyson Fury-Dillian Whyte fight at Wembley fell through when his opponent Jonathan Romero encountered visa issues.

Now, thanks to his overcoming of the avoided Magnesi, Cacace has a target on his back and the risk-reward ratio of taking him on has swung more in his favour.