Magee eyes all Belfast Tennyson v Cacace European title fight

Anthony Cacace [16(7)-1] is closing in on a European title shot and could challenge James Tennyson [22(18)-2(2)]for the EBU strap in Belfast before the year is out according to his manager Pat Magee.

Tennyson was crowned continental ring king when he stopped reigning champion and former Cacace defeater Martin J Ward in sensational fashion on May 5.

The Assassin produced one of the best Irish away performances of recent times to become king of the Continent, Commonwealth champion and to take a step closer to a world title shot.

However, Cacace’s manager is hopeful Tennyson will look to defend the EBU blue belt in an all Belfast clash before the year is out.

Cacace was nominated to box Italian Devis Boschiero (46-5-1) for the EU title last week and the manager who plotted Brian Magee’s success believes victory in that could pave the way for only the second ever all Irish European title fight-Willie Casey and Paulie Hyland’s Limerick hosted 2010 fight being the first.

“Tennyson will defend his title and then the EBU will appoint another mandatory,” predicted Magee when speaking to Andy Waters in the Irish News.

“I think the mandatory will be the winner of the Boschiero v Cacace match. If Boschiero drops out of it, Cacace becomes the mandatory or, if they fight, Cacace will win and then he’ll be the mandatory.

“We’re in a very good position with that decision that was made last week,” he added before claiming the Belfast public would love a super featherweight derby dust up.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we get in there and we have a local derby (with Tennyson) later in the year?

“We want to go this European route. The EBU title gets you rated everywhere and we’d be rated in the WBC. Tennyson is the EBU champion and he’ll be rated by all the sanctioning bodies now.”