EXCLUSIVE
I fought on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard and smashed up world champion to shock boxing world in front of Cristiano Ronaldo
Anthony Cacace shocked the boxing world by defeating Joe Cordina inside the distance on May 18.
'The Apache' opened up as a massive underdog for his IBF super-featherweight world title fight on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard in Saudi Arabia.
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However, he made the bookies look foolish as he battered Cordina from pillar to post en route to an eighth-round stoppage victory.
Cacace's win will undoubtedly rank among the biggest upsets of 2024 in the end-of-year boxing awards.
But it came as no surprise to the Northern Irishman, who put his life and soul into preparations.
"Not so much [of a shock] for me," Cacace told marvelbet369.com
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"As soon as I was told about the opportunity, I was straight to the gym. I haven't had a day off in 10 weeks so I knew I had a big task and a hard fight - and I was ready for it."
Cacace couldn't have picked a better time to announce himself on the world stage than during a main card slot on an event headlined by the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in 25 years.
A number of sport's biggest stars were in attendance for the show, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a front-row seat for Cacace's demolition job.
In the immediate aftermath of his win, Cacace jumped out of the ring to grab a quick selfie with the football legend.
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It was a moment to savour for the newly crowned IBF world champion, who grew up as a Manchester United fan.
"When I got straight out that was always the plan, to get a picture with Ronaldo, no questions asked," he added.
"I'd love to think I'd made a fan of him because I love Ronaldo, he's an amazing athlete and it's a photo opportunity you cannot miss."
Life has changed considerably for Cacace since becoming a world champion.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Tommy Fury react to Oleksandr Usyk knocking down Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia
The Belfast banger was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after his triumph in the Middle East.
There were even plans to parade him around the Northern Irish capital in an open-top bus but Cacace, an incredibly humble man, opted against it.
"They tried to but I refused to leave the house until that bus left," Cacace laughed.
"Listen, I don't do buses or anything like that, I just want to go down and see my family and friends and thank them for the support.
"I thought I would just go and fight and then come home, relax and do the same thing but it hasn't gone down like that at all.
"There have been people asking me to present awards and do all these different things.
"It's slightly overwhelming but there is a real feel-good factor to it as well...
"My life has changed completely. I can't even go to the shop across from my house without people wanting to take pictures.
"It feels good, I feel half famous. Now that I've got the IBF belt I'm in the history books with the likes of Carl Frampton and Ryan Burnett.
"I'm the only Irish super-featherweight world champion ever, which is amazing."
So what comes next for Cacace? His manager, Simon Legg, tells us: "We will sit down with Frank [Warren] over the next few weeks and work out a plan moving forward.
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"Whatever it is, big things are on the horizon now. He's worked incredibly hard over the last 12 years, sacrificed so much, and been mucked about terribly.
"But now he has time to crack on. Everyone keeps on playing on the fact that he is 35 but he really hasn't got a lot of miles on the clock. Look at him, he's as fresh as a daisy."
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