Two-time featherweight world champion Josh Warrington has made a career out of relentless pressure and aggression but struggled to cause too much trouble to Anthony Cacace at the weekend. As a result, many have suggested that it was time for Warrington to hang up the gloves and he seemed to agree on Saturday night.
‘The Leeds Warrior’ has brought plenty of phenomenal fights to his hometown in recent years, outpointing both Lee Selby and Kid Galahad in front of his faithful followers in West Yorkshire, as well as getting the nod over Carl Frampton in Manchester. The now 33-year-old has brought eyes to the 126lb scene throughout his career and made the division one of the most-watched weights domestically and achieved tremendous success, but his struggles of late have been there for all to see.
Warrington was famously knocked out by Mauricio Lara in one of the most stunning upsets witnessed on British soil back in 2021 before the pair fought two rounds of a disappointing technical-decision draw a few months later but a win over Spain’s Kiko Martinez saw Warrington reclaim his IBF world title.
Although, he later lost that belt to Luis Alberto Lopez in late 2022, failed in a WBA title challenge against Leigh Wood in 2023 and then was on the wrong side of a one-sided decision on Saturday night’s Wembley card following an uncharacteristic performance.
After one win in six, Warrington left his gloves in the ring to signify that his time in the ring has come to an end. In an interview with DAZN, the Yorkshireman refused to announce an official decision on his retirement but admitted that he is ready to spend more time with his family ahead of a new addition to the Warrington family.
“I don’t know [if I will continue], it is one of them where if I was [to fight again], I would have to get out sooner rather than later. I couldn’t wait another year. I just need to go home, my missus is 25 weeks pregnant so I just want to get ready for another baby coming into the family and see where we go from there.”
Meanwhile, in-form Anthony Cacace has now triumphed over world champions in consecutive fights after halting Joe Cordina earlier this year. Full of confidence, the Northern-Irishman looked ahead to more fights on the big stage and hinted that he may move up to the lightweight division in the near future, Cacace told BBC Sport NI.
“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.”
“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,”
“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 belt, I want to go down as one of the greatest from this country.”
Cacace went on to declare that he will rest for the remainder of 2024 before hopefully securing a major fight in 2025, whilst Warrington’s fans await a more concrete decision on his future in the ring.
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