Cinderella show as Cacace eyes place among Ireland’s greatest 

A Belfast dreamer who went from plasterer to pizza deliveryman will fight for the WBA super-featherweight world title in a bid to become a two-time champion.

DREAMING BIG: Jazza Dickens and Anthony Cacace face off at Dynamic Space, Dublin. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Listen to this. On the main event, a Liverpudlian southpaw who once slept on a mattress in the back of his van just around the corner from where his latest title fight will occur.

On the other side, a Belfast dreamer who went from plasterer to pizza deliveryman while striving to pay off the debt that a pro camp can bring. Finally, at 37 years of age, Anthony Cacace will fight for the WBA super-featherweight world title in a bid to become a two-time champion after winning the IBF version two years ago. Dublin’s 3Arena will play host to the latest chapter of this Cinderella story.

His opponent is James ‘Jezza’ Dickens. He previously trained under coach Peter Taylor and was worried at the prospect of paying for a mortgage back home while trying to survive in the capital’s punishing rental market. A van as accommodation made do. In the harsh world of pro boxing, the bottom line that breaks most fighters is the cost of it all. Only a select few experience the payoff.

This brutal industry’s redeeming spirit is brimming in this card. There are so many testaments to resilience that to list them all would feel like a Hollywood movie overdone. At the same venue in 2023, Gary Cully suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Mexican José Felix Soto on the undercard of the Katie Taylor homecoming bout.

It was a devastating blow for a rising prospect. A year later, the Mexican was handed a five-year ban after testing positive for two banned steroids. Cully did not fight at all in 2025 and Saturday will be his first outing in 15 months.

That sense of heart isn’t lost on anyone involved. It made for a galvanising fight week. Much of the bluster that usually accompanies such occasions was absent. These men fight each other, but they do it in an attempt to break free from a much larger struggle.

“Full respect to Jazza. He has done it the hard way. The same way as I have,” said Cacace at Stillorgan’s Dynamic Space for Thursday’s press conference.

“I am just raring to go now. If I win this title, I can go down as one of Ireland’s greatest ever fighters. That is what is motivating me. Two years back, I had absolutely nothing. Now I have won the IBO and the IBF. I have secured my family’s (future). I have done things I thought I couldn’t have. Now I am focusing on legacy.” This being a boxing card, there was still some spite in the air. The co-main event will see Dublin's Pierce O'Leary fight in his home city for the first time as a pro when he takes on replacement Maxi Hughes with the vacant IBO light-welterweight belt on the line.

O’Leary left for London at 19 with a pregnant partner at home. He has spoken about sleeping on the floor of a room above a local pub. Frank Warren’s Queensbury gave him a platform to build a career. He has recently been based in Liverpool under Joe McNally, living away from his young family.

An infection saw Mark Chamberlain pull out to be replaced by Hughes, who was quick to highlight the pressure that comes with a hometown show in terms of delivering a performance and selling tickets. At that point, O’Leary smiled.

“By the way, I didn’t deal with tickets,” he replied. “It was actually my partner who deals with tickets. She is rearing two kids, doing my meal prep while I was in Dublin and doing all my tickets. Hat’s off to Amy.” 

This sell-out in Dublin arrives while a Katie Taylor farewell in Croke Park is picking up momentum. Unfortunately, the reality of this sport is that such moments are quickly crushed. O’Leary paid due tribute to his promoters for putting on the show, but when he suggested that they’d be back again, George Warren was visibly squirming in his seat. In a world of big talk and broken promises, nothing is guaranteed.

One of the more intriguing subplots is the presence of Tallaght heavyweight Adam Olaniyan on the card. The 6’6” specimen will be managed by Brian Peters, the vastly experienced Irish boxing figure best known now for his work with Katie Taylor.

Olaniyan comes with a strong amateur pedigree, having won seven National titles as well as the 2024 World Youth championship. It is almost unfair to saddle him with expectation so early. Even still, Warren wasn’t shy in talking up their signing at the press conference.

“Wouldn’t it be great to have an Irish heavyweight world champion sitting up here soon?” For his part, the 20-year-old cut a cool figure ahead of his debut. He was flanked by friends and family who held their phones up with pride as he spoke from the stage. The presence of all these seasoned veterans beside him would have served as a reminder of the perseverance and sacrifice required to succeed in this game.

“I fully believe I can be the first Irish-born heavyweight champion of the world,” he announced.

“For this debut on Saturday, I’m not really thinking too much into it. It is a fight. I am excited but I am focused.” A fitting opening ahead of what will hopefully be a long career. In this trade, the dream has to be stubborn.