Belfast’s Anthony Cacace wins IBF super-featherweight title in Riyadh

'The Andytown Apache' was simply sensational, hurting the outgoing champion numerous times including the third when he had him on the floor and on the verge of victory there and then.

But although Cordina showed plenty of heart to rally, there was no denying Cacace who reasserted himself, hurting Cordina again in the seventh before it all became too much and referee Bob Williams stepped in with 39 seconds gone in the eighth.

It was simply superb from the west Belfast man who may have been an outsider prior to the opening bell, but he produced the performance of his life, out-landing the Cardiff man by more than two to one, attacking with venom throughout and kicking the door through.

There will hardly be a more popular winner as Cacace has had to endure setback after setback in his career, but finally the stars aligned and the 35-year-old now writes his name into the glorious list of Belfast's world title tapestry.

"I am in shock," he said in the ring afterwards.

"Nobody gave me a chance but I came over here confident. Micky Hawkins, Barry O'Neill, Michael Hawkins Jr, Andy (O'Neill) and Iain Mahood - we've all done this job.

"A wee lad from Andytown coming all the way over to Saudi Arabia and smashed up the champion."

Both settled in quickly as they found their range early in what was an even first round, but the action began to warm up in the second as Cacace pressed but was also reminded he needed to be wary with the fast counters of Cordina finding a home.

The pendulum swung decisively in the third for Cacace who initially was warned for hitting on the break, but there was nothing wrong with what followed as he got through with a huge right that badly hurt Cordina who was on unsteady legs. Cacace knew he was in trouble and piled on the pressure, dropping Cordina with an uppercut followed with a chopping right. He rose, but was in real trouble and knew he needed to hang on, covering up as heavy fire rained in, just about seeing out the round.

The break allowed Cordina to gather himself and he came back in the fourth, landing a right on Cacace who perhaps got a little careless and this gave him some encouragement as the Belfast man was looking for another big shot.

It was certainly on a knife-edge as they traded at close quarters in the fifth and this was suiting the Belfast man who was getting the better of it.

The sixth followed a similar patter but Cacace was well on top, landing around the guard and with uppercuts up close as Cordina was beginning to look a little ragged and there was a sense the accumulation may be starting to break him down. He had Cordina pinned to the ropes in the seventh, again hurting him with right hands but the Welshman was showing plenty of grit to ride out yet another storm and have a little bit of success of his own.

It proved to be his final stand as Cacace was not to be denied, wobbling Cordina with a huge right early in the eighth, this time the follow-up leading referee Williams to step in and save Cordina from further punishment.

"Joe is a helluva competitor," a beaming Cacace added.

"He's an Olympian, a two-time world champion. I gave him his dues, but tonight I was hurting him with every single shot. I have nothing but respect for him and I'd love to run that back.

"Andytown proud - I'm bringing this belt back to Andytown. (I'm) the first Irish super-featherweight (world) champion there's been and I'm proud to make history tonight."