Eddie Hearn explains why Anto Cacace will not box on big Sky Sports Belfast show

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has given his take on the reason why Belfast super featherweight Anto Cacace [15(7)-0] will face a Matchroom fighter for the British title in London on the same night that a big Matchroom card takes place in his home city.

The Sky cameras come to Belfast on Saturday June 10th for a big bill at the SSE Odyssey Arena, and it was almost assumed that the mandatory British 130lbs title fight between Matchroom’s Martin J Ward [17(8)-0-2] and Andersonstown southpaw Anto Cacace would be one of the chief support bouts on the bill.

Cacace’s promoter Pat Magee would win the purse bids for the title fight, which must take place before the end of next month, however he would reveal earlier this week that no agreement was made with Matchroom.

Magee told Irish-Boxing.com that he had received no offer from Hearn to put the fight on the ‘Belfast Boy’ card and that the fight would now take place on a card in London on the same night.

When asked about the situation yesterday at the Burnett-Haskins press conference at the Europa Hotel in Belfast, Hearn said that “I made them a huge offer to fight Martin Ward, we couldn’t agree, it went to purse bids, he ended up getting a lot less, and then Pat sort of went to me ‘do you want to put it on your show?’

“‘No, not really.’ June the 10th apparently at the Wembley [Arena], the ITV show that is apparently happening that I don’t think will. We’ll see if that fight plays out.”

The English promoter admits he may still look to feature Magee’s other boxer – Lenadoon cruiserweight Tommy McCarthy [15(7)-0] – if a big fight can be agreed.

Hearn described how “I might put big Tommy McCarthy on – if he’s prepared to be in a real fight. I’m not interested in putting Tommy McCarthy on in a ten rounder against some Hungarian. What’s the point?”

The undercard of the Burnett-Haskins bill next month currently features Feargal McCrory, Matt Wilton, Padraig McCrory, Paul Hyland Jr, James Tennyson, Sean Magee, Tyrone McCullagh, and Paddy Gallagher.

Tickets cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.

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Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 4 of The Irish Boxing Show