Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood - LIVE!
Anthony Cacace continued his superb run of form with a ninth-round stoppage of Leigh Wood in Nottingham. The Northern Irishman, 36, is enjoying the best spell of his career, having beaten Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington in 2024, and he picked up another victory over a domestic rival here with a dominant display.
It was billed as a potential fight-of-the-year contender and while it was not necessarily an all-action affair from the first bell, Cacace boxed superbly and was ahead on the cards throughout. He went through the gears in the sixth round, snapping Wood’s head back with the jab and whipping in a flurry of left hooks, but there was some encouragement in the eighth for Wood in front of his home fans when a cut opened up on Cacace’s cheek and blood starting to come from his nose.
But, a round later, it was all over. Wood was given a standing count after he was sent staggering back into the ropes by a flush left hook, and Cacace did not let up. Two huge right uppercuts were followed by a left to the body, leaving Wood almost defenceless. He turned his back on Cacace and jogged away, as Wood’s corner threw in the towel to save their man from further punishment.
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Leigh Wood on his future...
"I don't want to make any excuses, I promised I wouldn't.
“It was hard tonight, maybe harder than usual, maybe it was the lay-off, I don't know. He's a really good fighter and hopefully he goes on a good run.
“I don't know, I'm not going to make a decision [about his future] on the spot. We'll see. We'll have a talk.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight, thanks for bringing the noise and sorry to disappoint."
Reaction from Anthony Cacace
"I put a lot of pressure on myself. I had nothing but negative feelings coming in here but I've fought three two-time world champions.
"Leigh's had a long time off. I didn't beat the best Leigh Wood but I beat Leigh Wood and I appreciate Nottingham, thank you for inviting me here, you're a great crowd."
Davison steps in...
Right decision from Leigh Wood’s corner.
Their man had near enough turned his back after those uppercuts, he was done.
So, so impressive form Anthony Cacace tonight.
Cacace stops Wood!
Round 9
HUGE SHOT!
Wood came charging in, but he’s caught and now in real trouble.
Combination from Cacace, Wood goes flying back into the ropes and they keep him up. Referee steps in with a standing count.
He survives that, but Wood is really hurt. Left hook, right uppercut, left hook again... Wood just trying to cover up.
Cacace is not far away from finishing this, but Wood is as brave as ever. No quit in him.
Two more massive right uppercuts, Wood is all over the place. Referee needs to step in, he’s completely gone as he turns his back and staggers away.
WOOD’S CORNER DO!
Towel thrown in, Cacace has a stoppage win in the ninth!
Cacace vs Wood
Round 8
More like it from Wood, lands an overhand right. And there’s a cut on the left cheek of Cacade... and blood from his noise. Bit of encouragement for Wood.
Referee pauses the fight to warn Cacace about hitting to the back of the head. Nottingham fans turn up the noise.
Right hands exchanged, but it’s Wood who is finding it much more difficult to get within range.
Left hook on the inside from Cacace, who almost laughs as Wood bursts into a flurry of right hands on the ball.
Getting to the stage where Wood needs near enough every round from here...
Cacace vs Wood
Round 7
Cacace is boxing so, so well. Sharper work, he’s moving superbly.
But we’ve seen Wood come back from worse positions than this, he’ll keep coming.
Wood is coming in with the double jab, but Cacace is picking his counters beautifully.
Bell goes and it’s another big smile from Cacace on his way to his counter.
Cacace vs Wood
Round 6
Cacace lands a nice combination at close range, in what has been another fairly cagey round.
Shot! Brilliant from Cacace, who breaks into a smile and now he’s really letting his hands go.
Wood covering up, his head was rocked back by four, five, six shots in a row. Left hook from Cacace was well blocked, that could have been big trouble had that landed flush.
Cacace going through the gears, snapping jab and then another flurry. Sensational minute or so for him.
4-2 up at halfway on my card.
Cacace vs Wood
Round 5
Can sense the respect both have for each other. Neither wanting to be reckless and risk a mistake.
This is a really tight round in the first two minutes, nothing in it. There for each to steal in the final 60 seconds.
Triple jab from Wood, but then backs off. Cacace responds with one of his own.
Wood tries to land an uppercut on the bell, Cacace turns away from it.
Cacace vs Wood
Round 4
Cacace really jerky with the feints, not letting Wood get much rhythm.
Wood standing in the centre of the ring trying to walk him down, but the Northern Irishman is picking his counter shots really well.
Wood does close the distance this time, three or four shots thundered in.
Straight right from Wood, and then the uppercut on the inside. Great shots.
2-2.
Cacace vs Wood
Round 3
Cacace has landed a couple of short rights as Wood rushes in.
And now an uppercut gets through, Wood quickly back onto the ropes. He’s coming under pressure for the first time.
Big left hook now, it’s all Cacace. He’s switch to southpaw this round and he’s dominating.
Wood steadies the ship in the final minute, but that was Cacace’s round. 2-1 up, I’ve got it.