Anthony Cacace Crowned IBF Super-Featherweight Champion with Stunning Stoppage of Joe Cordina

In a thrilling upset, Northern Ireland's Anthony Cacace claimed the IBF super-featherweight title by stopping the previously undefeated Joe Cordina in the eighth round of their championship bout at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On the undercard of the highly anticipated undisputed heavyweight title clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, the fight saw Cacace deliver a career-defining performance.

From the opening bell, the 35-year-old Cacace showcased his determination and skill, consistently outworking and outmanoeuvring the younger Cordina, who had openly discussed a potential move to the lightweight division in the lead-up to the fight. Cacace's relentless pressure and powerful left hand proved to be the key factors in his victory, as he dominated the majority of the rounds and ultimately forced the referee to intervene in the eighth.

The turning point of the fight came in the third round when Cacace landed a devastating left hand on the break, followed by a series of punishing blows that sent Cordina to the canvas. Despite the Welsh fighter's attempts to rally in the fourth round, Cacace quickly reasserted his control, landing a vicious right uppercut in the fifth that visibly hurt Cordina.

As the fight progressed, Cacace's work rate and superior power became increasingly evident, with the Northern Irishman consistently finding success with his left hand and right uppercut. Cordina, who had previously boasted an unblemished record of 17 wins, struggled to mount an effective defence against Cacace's onslaught.

The end came in the eighth round when Cacace unleashed a flurry of punches that left Cordina reeling and unable to defend himself. Referee Bob Williams had no choice but to step in and call a halt to the contest, handing Cacace a well-deserved TKO victory and the coveted IBF super-featherweight title.

The win marks a significant milestone in Cacace's career, as he has long been touted as a potential world-level fighter. With this impressive performance against a highly regarded opponent, Cacace has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the super-featherweight division.

In other action on the undercard, German heavyweight Agit Kabayel bolstered his chances of securing a world title shot by defeating the previously unbeaten Frank Sanchez in seven rounds. Kabayel, who had been in contention to challenge Tyson Fury in 2020, demonstrated his continued improvement by stopping the Cuban with a vicious body punch in the seventh round, handing Sanchez his first professional defeat.

As the dust settles on an exciting night of boxing in Riyadh, the focus now shifts to the future of the newly crowned IBF super-featherweight champion, Anthony Cacace, and the potential challenges ahead in his reign atop the 130-pound division.