Anto Cacace says winning a world title has not affected his hunger or desire as he prepares to face Josh Warrington in London on Saturday
The 35-year-old beat Joe Cordina to claim the IBF super-featherweight world title in May in Saudi Arabia.
The Belfast fighter delivered a brutal performance in Riyadh with an eighth round stoppage win to seal his first world title.
“I definitely haven’t lost my desire or my hunger,” Cacace said.
“I’m fulfilled as in I’ve made a dream come true. I’ve secured a house for my three children and that’s the main thing but I want more.
“I don’t want to get this title and pass it on. I want to secure legacy for me in Belfast.”
Cacace, whose IBF world super-featherweight title will not be on the line against Warrington, is savouring life as champion after a long road to the top.
“I’ve had nothing my own way. I’ve had to get into mandatory spots to fight for British Titles, every title I’ve had I’ve had to work and beg for,” he continued.
“Now I’m the champion I don’t have to call anybody out. These fights are coming, and I know they’re all top fights.”
While Warrington cannot take the IBF title off the 35-year-old, after the sanctioning body refused to recognise him as a challenger for the belt, Cacace will vacate it if he is beaten at Wembley.
The Belfast boxer doesn’t envisage that scenario will come to fruition, despite his respect for Warrington.
“Josh Warrington is a great fighter – two-time World Champion. His last two performances were good, he just fell short but that’s boxing.
“I’m a lot bigger than him. I think that style suits me down to a tee.”
‘I’m not just here to take part’ – Warrington
Cacace’s opponent Warrington hasn’t fought since losing to Leigh Wood in October, whilst he also lost his previous bout with Luis Alberto Lopez.
He moves up a weight to take on the 35-year-old and admits it was a decision that he should have been taken sooner in his career.
“It’s a hell of a difference and something that I should have done years ago. It’s all in hindsight isn’t it,” he said.
The 33-year-old is also aiming to right the wrongs of his disappointing last two bouts.
“I’m not just here to take part. I’m not going to go all Conor McGregor now but, it’s not even so much for the belts, it’s for the names and my legacy,” Warrington added.
“Obviously, my last fight ended in a loss. No matter how good I was boxing it was still a loss. I don’t want to end it [his career] like that.”
Warrington also expressed his “disappointment” that the IBF would not sanction the fight for the World Title.
“Two-time IBF Featherweight World Champion, six IBF World Title fights for them. I understand their policies, regulations and all this stuff, but some of these organisations get involved with YouTubers, come on,” Warrington explained.
“They’ve earned a lot of money out of me with sanctioning fees over the years on different shows.
“For whatever reasons, they just wouldn’t change the goalposts here after already giving the green light. That’s what I can’t work out.”
