Anthony Cacace will defend his WBA super featherweight title against Nick Ball on 19 December in Belfast after the sanctioning body granted approval. The winner must subsequently face Elnur Samedov following UK border complications regarding the Azerbaijani-born fighter.
Promoters Queensberry originally attempted to negotiate an agreement for Cacace to face secondary titleholder Samedov in Northern Ireland. Those plans stalled when the British Boxing Board of Control refused permission for Samedov to box in the United Kingdom. The British authority upheld its decision after examining paperwork concerning the fighter’s citizenship and residency status. Born in Azerbaijan, Samedov currently resides and operates out of Russia. Following the administrative rejection, contractual discussions between the promotional camps were suspended.
To keep the December card intact, the WBA reinstated its super champion title tier.
Under the new resolution, 37-year-old Cacace moves into the super champion position, while Samedov transitions from regular titlist to world titlist. Cacace, who brings a 25-1 record with nine knockouts after defeating Jazza Dickens for the strap in March, remains cleared to box Ball in Belfast. Ball enters the scheduled bout with a professional record of 23 victories, one defeat, and one draw, including 13 knockouts. However, the ruling enforces a mandatory defense for whoever emerges victorious. According to the official directive, the winner must face Samedov “in neutral territory, at a venue approved by all parties involved, and on a date to be determined by the WBA Championships Committee.”
