Anthony Cacace Set to Defend WBA Title
Anthony Cacace from Belfast is set to defend his WBA super-featherweight title against Elnur Samedov of Russia, following a directive from the WBA. Cacace secured the championship with a victory over James ‘Jazza’ Dickens by points in Dublin on March 14, marking his record at 25 wins against a single loss.
Upcoming Fight Details
The 37-year-old Cacace initially expressed interest in a unification match against Emanuel Navarrete, the holder of WBO and IBF titles from Mexico. However, the WBA has mandated that he first defend his title against Samedov, a 32-year-old southpaw whose record stands at 22 wins and one defeat. Samedov clinched the interim title by stopping John Lenon Gutierrez in the 11th round earlier this year.
WBA Regulations and Negotiation Timeline
According to the WBA’s Championship Rule C.10, there is a 30-day time frame from June 2 for both camps to negotiate terms for the fight. The organization specified that a champion must face the highest-ranked contender within 120 days of claiming the title, unless an official challenger has already been named.
Additionally, per Rule C.13, Cacace cannot engage in any bouts against opponents other than the designated challenger in the 60 days leading up to the mandatory defense, underscoring the importance of these negotiations. Should the two parties fail to come to an agreement, a purse bid could be called for the fight.
