Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood LIVE RESULTS: Wood’s corner THROWS IN TOWEL as Cacace seals statement win – updates
ANTONY CACACE made a huge statement after STOPPING Leigh Wood in nine dominant rounds in Nottingham!
In-form Northern Ireland ace Cacace, 36, added to his scalps of Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington with a stunning win over Wood - who was fighting in front of a home crowd in Nottingham.
Cacace dominated Wood, and after dropping his man in the ninth round, Wood's trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel with his fighter in serious danger.
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Saturday night's results
A quick reminder of how the action unfolded in a packed night in Nottingham:
- Anthony Cacace beats Leigh Wood - TKO
- Liam Davies beats Kury Walker - UD
- Ezra Taylor beats Troy Jones - UD
- Owen Cooper beats Chris Kongo - PTS
- Sam Noakes beats Patrik Balaz - KO
- Lewis Williams beats Viktar Chvarkou - PTS
- Charlie Senior beats Cesar Paredes - PTS
- Nico Leivars beats Darwing Martinez - PTS
- Huey Malone beats Jakub Laskowski - PTS
- Joe Tyers beats Mario Portillo - PTS
- Harris Akbar beats Octavian Gratii - PTS
- Joe Copper beats Dmitri Protkunas - PTS
What next for Wood?
While Cacace's immediate future is full of options, Leigh Wood's next steps are rather more muddied.
Wood turns 37 in August and needed a big performance and a win last night to propel himself into world title contention at his new weight.
But his path back to title contention will not be immediate and he may need two or three big wins to get there after the loss to Cacace.
Wood does have at least one item left on his boxing bucket list - a fight in front of a packed crowd at the City Ground, home of his beloved Nottingham Forest.
Fans would have hoped for that to be a world title fight but, if it is to happen, it may be a swansong.
He has been one of the most entertaining British fighters of the last decade and continually been involved in bloody wars.
Whatever the next step, Wood will go out as a legend of British boxing.
Property mogul
At 36 and coming to the end of his career, Anthony Cacace made it very clear of his intentions for the remaining years of his career.
He gave up his IBF belt for this fight as he was getting paid more and his next fights he also wants to see big pay days.
He added: "I want to have the big opportunities, more belts and the big money.
"It's more about money.
"I've got three children - it's time to buy a couple of houses."
Conlan an option for Cacace?
Anthony Cacace was asked if a blockbuster fight with Irish star Michael Conlan would interest him.
Cacace told TalkSPORT: "Michael Conlan's a gentleman.
"No disrespect to him, I would fight him no problem.
"But I'm looking at WBC and WBA [titles].
"Michael's just a wee bit off that at the minute, if he can get himself into that position I'm all for it - of if I'm getting paid a lot of money I'll do that next week."
'Right decision at the time'
Leigh Wood's trainer has stood by his decision to throw in the towel in the ninth round of the fight.
Ben Davison (pictured earlier this year) told The Ring after the fight: "It's just instinct, you haven't got a lot of time.
"You take into account instinct, Leigh's age, where he's at in his career, how the fight is going, the man that's in front of him.
"We know that Cacace is a good puncher and finisher.
"You take all these things into consideration and my instinct was that that was the right decision at the time.
"That's how I still feel to be honest."
Coldwell's view
Boxing trainer and pundit Dave Coldwell called it a "brilliant win" for Anthony Cacace.
He wrote on social media: "That’s a brilliant win from Cacace.
"Boxed so well and really deserved the win.
"There’s a body shot in the finish that absolutely ruined Leigh.
"The heart of Leigh Wood is unreal.
"The man is hard as nails, absolute warrior.
"Gutted for him but lost to a quality champion tonight."
Asked if he thought Davidson was correct to throw in the towel, Coldwell added: "Of course."
Wood ahead?
Leigh Wood's trainer Ben Davidson threw in the towel in round 9 - but one of the judges actually had him AHEAD at that point.
While judges Olena Pobyvailo (77-75) and Benoit Roussel (79-73) had Cacace in front after eight rounds, Steve Gray had Wood ahead 77-75.
He gave Wood rounds one, four, five, seven and eight.
Round four was the only round that all three judges scored for Wood.
More from Cacace
He added: "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."
'My time is now'
Anthony Cacace - who celebrated the win with a big fat cigar in his mouth - says he took the fight "solely for the money" but now wants a big fight.
Frank Warren revealed last night that the plan for the Northern Irishman is to have a mega homecoming fight in Belfast.
Cacace said: "I took this fight solely for money. The money was double. Show me the money, I will travel anywhere. My time is now."
Asked about WBC champ O'Shaquie Foster, he said: "Show me the money, it'll have to be better than tonight."
Form is temporary, class is permanent
Two warriors took to the ring for a much-awaited showdown.
You would not have thought Wood had been out of the ring for as long as he had for most of the fight.
However, Cacace just had another level and disposed of the Englishman in the ninth round.
When all is said and done, this was two fighters who respect each other's craft.
Credit: Reuters No decisions on future just yet
Despite being probed after the fight in his interview, Leigh Wood would not be drawn on what was next for him.
He told DAZN that he would take some time to think about his next move.
It was a great showing from the Englishman, especially after 19-months out of the ring, but defeat will hurt nonetheless.
Credit: PA Dream team pose for pic
Anthony Carace pulls no punches out of the ring.
He had nothing but compliments for Frank Warren and all of his team after the his main-event fight.
The reason his career is prospering in his mid-30s are down to every single person stood with him.
Credit: PA Respect between two spartans
Despite spending nine rounds trying to batter one another, there was no doubting the respect between the pair.
Carcace spent a lot of time talking to Wood after the fight and the Nottingham boxer even said if he was to lose to anyone he is happy it is the Northern Irishman, who he labelled as a 'really good guy'.
Things may not have worked out as Wood wanted but he did himself proud, as ever, in the ring in front of his home faithful.
Credit: PA Ropes holding Wood hopes up
After Carcace landed a series of telling blows, he landed a barrage of combos that really seemed to knock Wood for six.
As he stumbled backwards, only the ropes were keeping him on his feet.
Hoping to see him bounce-back, it did not happen and they had to throw the towel in to protect their man.
Credit: Reuters Northern Irish jewel in the crown
Anthony Cacace put his belt on the line for this fight.
With Leigh Wood making a long-awaited return to the ring, there was a mutual respect between the two fighters.
While admitting he did not face the best version of his opponent, there was no doubting that this victory meant a lot to the Irishman.
Credit: Getty
View from SunSport's Wally Downes Jr in Nottingham
ANTHONY CACACE snatched his latest world-champion scalp with a ninth-round stoppage of Leigh Wood.
The pair of 36-year-olds clashed at super-featherweight at Woods' local Nottingham arena.
But the Belfast beast - beat Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington in his previous two outings - overpowered his fellow veteran just before the championship rounds.
The Forest fan got his jab firing off quickly, tagging Cacace to head and body.
But the Northern Ireland ace was clever and spiteful, slashing right hands in, when Wood dared get too close.
Cacace settled into the second and started to land his left hooks.
But, right on the bell, Wood rolled under an attack and seemed to crack his rival with a perfect left hook.
Wood’s double jabs in the third were crisp and caused switch-hitter Cacace to turn southpaw for the first time.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair until Cacace took over and in round nine he put one foot on Wood’s neck and the other on the accelerator.
A left hook robbed Wood of his balance and his soul.
Warren targets Belfast homecoming
As next fights were talked about for the champion, Frank Warren announced that his next fight will be in North Ireland.
He promised his boxer a Belfast homecoming in front of the cameras and will no doubt be held to his word.
It seems only right, Anthony Cacace has defended his title and would love nothing more than fighting in front of his own fans back home.
Credit: Reuters Champ happy with victory
Anthony Cacace spoke with DAZN about this big victory against Leigh Wood this evening:
I put a lot of pressure on myself. I have beaten two world champions. I did not face the best Leigh Wood tonight but I won. I've got thank Frank Warren, he has come into my life and given me the chances. I have to thank my team as well, this group of people are why I am fighting so well at 36-years-old. I took this fight solely for money, this is why I'm in Nottingham tonight. Show me the money and I will travel anywhere.
Anthony CacaceWood return just falls short
As Cacace offloaded a barrage of punches in the ninth round, it was in fact the corner of Wood who threw the towel in.
They knew their man would not give up but they felt there was a danger of him getting hurt in that round.
What a fight it was from the pair but Cacace just had that extra gear and seemed capable of taking it up a notch if the need was there.
Credit: Reuters Anthony Cacace wins by stoppage
Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood (Round 9)
Wow, wat a round of boxing that was.
Cacace lands some heavy blows on the chi of Wood and at one stage only the ropes are holding Wood up.
The referee gives Wood a standing match but the fight continues.
Cacace keeps landing some telling blows and often Wood does not seem to be fighting back.
It has been stopped, Cacace defends his belt in enemy territory here.
Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood (Round 8)
Wood lands a couple of goof hits and there is blood on the cheek and coming from the nose of Cacace.
That should give the challenger some confidence in this fight.
As the round goes on, Wood seems to be looking to offload more left hooks, with added power behind them now.
The boxers get in close once again and Cacace catches Wood with a quickly thrown left-hook.
Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood (Round 7)
Wood is trying to work his way back into this fight.
Cacace looks to have the much faster handspeed when he comes forward.
The Irishman's feet movement and confidence to get on the front foot seems to be a level up to what Wood is offering here.
Credit: Reuters Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood (Round 6)
Cacace seems to be taking it up a gear in this round.
He is looking sharp and hunting down Wood in the ring.
Wood is landing punches but he is really catching Cacace on the way out.
The reigning champion is starting to get his combinations going.
Cacace is starting to land some telling punches on Wood.
Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood (Round 5)
Cacace is leading forward with uppercuts but only hitting air.
Carl Frampton has the Irishman up three rounds to one so far.
The speed of punching from Cacace is always a big danger.
Another close round that is tough to call here.