There has been some drama out of the ring in recent weeks with the two leading British promoters finding themselves on the opposite side of the Saudi power-brokers who are now aligning with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing instead.
Politics have meant some fighters have switched promotions, while the Tyson Fury fight in April looks to be excluding Queensberry from the promotional side, despite the deal Fury seemingly had with Frank Warren and his company.
This is going to be a part of the future of the sport, at least in the immediate future, but there are some very good nights already locked in for the weeks and months ahead.
James Dickens vs Anthony Cacace
Ten months have passed since Anthony Cacace was last out in the ring and you do have to wonder if his career is not progressing as quickly as he would like.
Back in May 2025, Anthony Cacace beat Leigh Wood comprehensively, but he has not been able to build on that as he may have hoped and at 37 years old, time is not on his side.
This is an opportunity to win the WBA World Super Featherweight Title though and there should be a fine atmosphere in Dublin on Saturday night.
James Dickens has had an Indian summer in his own career after moving up to Super Featherweight and upsetting the odds to pick up a World Title. This is the first big World Title earned and James Dickens will not want to give it up easily, although it should be noted that he has been Stopped in five of the six career defeats suffered.
He will stand his ground, but Anthony Cacace is the naturally bigger fighter and he does punch much harder than the overall record may suggest.
They should gel together, which is always great news for the fans, and Anthony Cacace may pick up another World Title with a Stoppage win as he did when beating Joe Cordina in May 2024.
On the undercard, Pierce O'Leary is looking to take the next step in his development by beating veteran Maxi Hughes.
There is no doubt that Hughes has mixed in stronger company, but at 36 years old, you do have to wonder how much is left in the tank.
Maxi Hughes may have come in at short notice, but he has shown he still has a level that has proven too good for some domestic level fighters and it is up to O'Leary to prove he is better than that.
This is going to be far from easy for the home fighter, but Pierce O'Leary may have just enough to edge to a Decision on the cards.
We also have a decent card in Anaheim on Saturday evening- Oscar Callazo holds two of the four World Titles in the Minimumweight Division and he is expected to have far too much for Jesus Haro before targeting the other Champions.
Arnold Barboza Jr was last seen losing to Teofimo Lopez in the Light Welterweight Division, but can upset the odds and Kenneth Sims Jr in the move to Welterweight.
This is anything but a foregone conclusion with Sims Jr knowing a win would push his name forward for big World Title fights of his own in what is an open Division, but Arnold Barboza Jr is perhaps a little underrated and can secure the victory on the cards.
MY PICKS: Anthony Cacace to Win by KO/TKO/Disqualification @ 3.00 Sky Bet (2 Units)
Pierce O'Leary to Win by Decision/Technical Decision @ 2.75 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Oscar Callazo to Win Between 1-6 @ 2.05 William Hill (2 Units)
Arnold Barboza Jr to Win by Decision/Technical Decision @ 2.87 Sky Bet (1 Unit)
Boxing 2026: 5-10, - 6.94 Units (27 Units Staked, - 25.70% Yield)
No comments:
Post a Comment