The IBF super-featherweight title may not be officially on the line when Anthony Cacace and Josh Warrington walk out in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium on Saturday night but for both, this is a fight neither can fathom losing.
Defeat will see Cacace’s reign end as the IBF have confirmed they will strip him of the title should it go wrong, while Warrington may see his time as a top-level fighter end should he fall to a third straight loss and fourth in six outings.
The build-up has been as amicable as could be on a card topped by the IBF heavyweight title showdown between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua, but those around boxing long enough can testify that when it’s all smiles and handshakes in the build-up, it often times makes way for all-out war when the opening bell rings.
Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen and certainly, with Warrington stepping up to the 130lb division for the first time since his rookie years, perhaps rushing headlong into a toe-to-toe battle with a man who is naturally bigger and who can detonate huge shots is not part of the script devised by his dad and coach, Sean O’Hagan.
But his all-action style can’t be kept under wraps for too long and therefore, the clash of style is fascinating.
Cacace ripped up the script back in May when dethroning Joe Cordina and has walked into a hectic fight week in London exuding the air of confidence the status of world champion brings.
He had belief ahead of the Cordina fight, but now he knows he belongs at the top and having endured countless setbacks and disappointments throughout his career before finally getting his chance at 35 years of age, he is in no rush to return to the shadows.
“I feel I belong here,” he said after Thursday’s press conference.
“I need to do more in this game for my own legacy and want more experiences, so I’ve got to keep winning.
“Josh Warrington is a very good fighter and I know I’m in for a hell of a fight, but I’m going to do my best to get through it.”
Warrington is known for his rough and ready approach but is happy to take the rough with the smooth and when regaining the IBF featherweight title in March 2022, suffered a broken jaw in the process.
Heart and grit are not in short supply for the 33-year-old ‘Leeds Warrior’ who has had the measure of past Belfast opposition in Carl Frampton and Martin Lindsay, but he can really fight and as Frampton has confirmed, hits harder than given credit for.
But what can he do with a tall, long and strong Cacace? Will the added pounds (he weighed in at 129.55 to Cacace’s 129.85 on Friday) give him added strength to make a dent?
Although the build-up has been respectful, Warrington has still questioned the narrative he has bitten off more than he can chew and instead believes he is the step too far for the Belfast man.
“I’m not a weight drained Joe Cordina,” he stressed.
“I’m not just going to stand in front of him. He’s already made it quite clear that I just bomb forward and throw punches, and that’s all you’re going to get. He can box and he can do this and that — people don’t really give me credit for my boxing ability.”
It would be foolish for Cacace and his team to downplay the test ahead but with wise heads in his corner led by Michael Hawkins Snr, there is no chance they have overlooked Warrington.
But they are confident and rightly so as their man proved just how good he can be when given his big chance against Cordina and indeed, feel the extra time working together back at Holy Trinity will result in an even better Cacace on Saturday.
“He is in a great position and we are confident he can do the job, but not overly confident as we know it will be a tough task,” Hawkins insisted.
“I think Anto will come through as he is stronger and I think he is fresher. It’s a matter of keeping that passion and fire he fought with (against Cordina). Nothing has changed except he has tuned-up and carries that positivity from being a world champion.”
Cacace faces a ball of energy on Saturday who will test him like never before, but he is riding the crest of a wave and carries in momentum and confidence.
It may take a few rounds, but fireworks are sure to arrive at Wembley Stadium and perhaps may well play into the Belfast man’s hands.