Anthony Cacace will defend his WBA super-featherweight world title against Nick Ball at The O2 in Belfast on 19 December, promoters confirmed on Saturday. The contest will be Cacace’s first defence since winning the belt in March and is expected to draw significant local interest over the Christmas period.
Background and stakes
Cacace, 37, reclaimed world honours earlier this year with a points victory over James ‘Jazza’ Dickens in Dublin. The Belfast-born fighter has built a long professional career and will now defend the title on home soil, aiming to consolidate his position in the division. His professional record stands at 25 wins and one defeat, a sequence that includes previous reigns and international fights.
Nick Ball, a Liverpudlian and former featherweight world champion, moves up in weight for the challenge. Ball won the WBA featherweight belt in 2024 and endured his first professional stoppage defeat in February when Brandon Figueroa stopped him in the final round while defending that title. Ball’s record reads 23 wins, one loss and one draw.
Fighters’ comments
“Nick's a great fighter, ex-world champion, so I expect a good scrap. He's a hard man, so let's do it,”
Cacace told DAZN that he is prepared to adapt his approach depending on how the fight unfolds: whether to box or to engage in a brawl. He added he was looking forward to a lively Belfast atmosphere at Christmas.
“It's a massive opportunity at a new weight. He's a solid champion, so it's going to be a good fight. I'll be coming, he'll be coming, so it's going to be a good one,”
Ball framed the bout as a major chance to add a second divisional crown to his résumé after his earlier success at featherweight.
Context in UK boxing
The fight reunites two fighters who have both featured on notable British cards. Cacace last fought in Belfast in May 2023 when he defended the IBO title, and he has remained active since, winning and relinquishing an IBF belt before returning to world level. Ball has also boxed on high-profile domestic undercards and has experience at world level, including the fight in which he lost by stoppage to Figueroa.
For British boxing, the match represents a domestic world-title defence staged in Northern Ireland, a region that has hosted significant boxing events and produced notable fighters. A December date at a major venue such as The O2 suggests promoters expect strong ticket demand and a festival atmosphere surrounding the show.
What to watch
- Whether Cacace chooses to box at range or engage physically — he has said he will adjust tactics as required.
- How Ball handles the move up in weight and whether he can translate his featherweight success into a two-weight bid.
- The likely atmosphere at The O2 and the commercial impact of a local world-title defence close to Christmas.
A small summary of key details is set out below.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Champion | Anthony Cacace (Belfast) — 25-1 |
| Challenger | Nick Ball (Liverpool) — 23-1-1 |
| Title | WBA super-featherweight |
| Date & venue | 19 December at The O2, Belfast |
Promoters and broadcasters will provide ticketing and viewing details in the coming weeks. Both fighters bring contrasting recent histories to the match: Cacace with longevity and a long domestic following, Ball with recent world-level experience and ambition to succeed across two weight classes. The outcome will have implications for rankings in the division and for the pair’s future match-making, particularly if the contest produces a decisive winner.
As ever in boxing, the tactical choices made on the night and each man’s capacity to handle pressure will be decisive. With the title on the line in a major UK venue, the bout promises to command attention beyond the local fanbase.
