Journeymen who made their living navigating rounds with enthusiastic but inexperienced prospects dreaded facing Cacace, and world champions were on high alert for sparring sessions with the notoriously heavy-handed Belfast man. 

In May 2024, the wider boxing world finally saw Cacace’s mettle when he ripped the IBF junior lightweight title away from Joe Cordina in eight exhilarating rounds.

Since then, Cacace (25-1, 9 KOs) has grown in stature and self-belief.

On December 19, the 37-year-old will return home to Belfast’s SSE Arena to defend the WBA 130-pound title against Nick Ball (23-1-1, 13 KOs). DAZN will stream the 12-round fight. 

During every interaction with the Liverpudlian, Cacace has been the picture of confidence. He has clearly grown into life as a champion. 

“I'm a world champion. I've trained my whole life for this, back from the Irish [amateur] team right through to now,” Cacace said during Queensberry’s “The Face Off”. 

“People told me, “You could do this” and “You could do that.” Now, I’ve done it. I fully believe in myself. I feel like I'm one of the hardest-hitting junior lightweights out there. No one's seen the best of me yet, and they could see the best of me against Nick Ball.”

Cacace is undefeated since stopping Cordina and has beaten Josh Warrington, Leigh Wood and Jazza Dickens. 

All three are accomplished former world champions, but they are all battle-scarred veterans of the sport. 

Ball has been in his fair share of hard fights, but he is still just 29 years old and driven to remain a major factor on the world stage after being knocked out by Brandon Figueroa in the final round of a WBA featherweight title defense on February 7. 

For Cacace, age is just a number. He plans to compete at the highest level for some time. 

“This is the first time I've ever had momentum on my side. I got the shot against Joe, and I've just rolled with it. I haven't lost it yet,” he said.

“I feel great. I'm turning 38 in February. I'm nearly 10 years older than Nick Ball, but I feel like a spring chicken. I feel ready to go.

“I can do this till I'm in my 40s. No sweat at all."