Cacace finally gets British Bowen bout- ‘Apache’ to challenge for Lonsdale belt in November

 

Anthony Cacace [17(7)-1(0)] will finally get the chance to fight Sam Bowen and win the British super featherweight title this November.

The Belfast fighter has been linked with the Welsh pugilist for some time. He was initially scheduled to fight for his domestic crown on Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman and Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings heavyweight double-header at the O2 Arena, live on BT Sport.

In what appeared a master stroke manager Pat Magee managed to get the fight rescheduled for the Feile An Phobail show in August and it looked as if the Belfast fighter may have home advantage for the important class.

However, in keeping with the misfortune theme that runs through ‘The Apache’s’ career, Bowen pulled out through injury.

At time Cacace offered to step in and replace Vladimir Nikitin as Michael Conlan’s opponent for the sold out Falls Park fight night.

The Conlan clash never materalised, indeed it was never a runner.

However, the mercurial talent had the British tilt to fall back on – and it has now been rescheduled.  Bowen was ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control to defend against the Belfast fighter and the title fight will now play out on a yet to be announced Frank Warren card in November.

It’s a major boost for the former British title challenger following a frustrating period since his narrow defeat to Martin J Ward back in July 2017.

A barren 2018 gave way to a breakthrough of sorts in February when the 30-year-old defeated South American featherweight champion Alan Castillo to claim a WBA ranking.

Now at #13 with the body, Cacace takes on WBO #7 Bowen [15(11)-0] – who most recently defended his British title in March with a stoppage of Scot Jordan McCorry.

READ: British camp not afraid of Cacace or Belfast – coach quashes ‘fake’ Bowen injury talk

The BBBofC also confirmed James Tennyson would fight Craig Evans in an eliminator for Joe Cordina’s British lightweight title in London on October 26. There were some rumours that clash would be changed to November 2 and play an important role on the Katie Taylor Manchester bill, but it seems to be going ahead for Matchroom’s big PPV card the week earlier.

In other somewhat Irish related news Chris Jenkins will defend the British welterweight title he won in controversial circumstances against Paddy Gallagher on a Frank Warren card in November.

The Welsh fighter got the decision in the title fight after the referee called a halt to proceedings due to two bad cuts over the eyes of the champion. However, replays seem to show both cuts were caused by punches, something which left Gallagher, his team and his fans very upset.