Cacace crowned world super-featherweight champ after downing Dickens in Dublin

Cork's Steven Cairns was among those to impress on a huge night of Irish fighting at the 3 Arena

Sun, 15 Mar, 2026 - 00:16

Examiner Staff

Anthony Cacace sealed his dream of becoming a two-time world champion after the Belfast man was crowned the new WBA super-featherweight champ thanks to a unanimous decision win over Jazza Dickens at Dublin's 3 Arena on Saturday night.

Cacace had claimed the IBF version of the same strap two years ago before vacating it in 2025. Atop a stacked bill on the banks of the Liffey on Saturday night, the 37-year-old stood tallest in what became an absorbing battle, if not a particularly eye-catching one.

Backed by all three of the judges who scored the bout 116-113, 116-112 and 115-113 in his favour, Cacace took the title from Scouse boxer Dickens, who had spent many years training in Dublin under the direction of Pete Taylor.

What a night in Dublin ☘️#DickensCacace▪️ pic.twitter.com/qMi0NZxAjn
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 14, 2026

Cacace raised the roof among a raucous crowd as he entered to Zombie and then got down to the kind of business he has consistently produced in recent times, a nine-year undefeated run that has seen him knock off the likes of Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood. Saturday night's triumph was surely the sweetest yet and puts Cacace into the conversation for some major unification title tilts later in the year.

"That showed you what I can do on a poor night at the office and still win a world title," Cacace told the TV interviewer post-fight. "Jazza had an awkward style, a southpaw and was hard to hit but I'm the new world champion."

While Pierce O'Leary and Jono Carroll also claimed vacant IBO world belts on the undercard, Douglas fighter Steven Cairns was among those to catch the eye among a host of Irish talent.

It's all over🥊 Steven Cairns emerges as the new WBA Continental Lightweight Champion as he knocks down Arnie Dawson 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀 times in the 9th round🇮🇪🔥#DickensCacace | Tonight | 3 Arena, Dublin | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/wkwP84ME0r
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) March 14, 2026

The 23-year-old Cairns was crowned new WBA Continental Lightweight Champion after he landed some punishing connections on Arnie Dawson in the penultimate round.