Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood: Odds, betting tips, undercard, and more

Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood dispute the IBO super-featherweight world title on Saturday evening at the Nottingham Arena.

The pair headline a packed card promoted by Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions, and you can follow the best of the action live on DAZN. An exciting night is guaranteed in Nottinghamshire.

Liam Davies and Kurt Walker face off in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds for the vacant IBF International featherweight strap in the chief support. Lovers of the noble art also see four fighters making their professional boxing debuts, hoping to catch a glimpse of a future star. But we focus on the main event, which promises to live up to the hype.

Having backed Chris Eubank Jr to defeat Conor Benn on points and Saul Alvarez to better William Skull on the scorecards last weekend in Saudi Arabia, followers head into the weekend in high spirits. 

Former professional boxer and experienced sports betting writer, Frankie Monkhouse, is on a hot streak and now sets his sights on finding the value in Cacace vs Wood for TalkSPORT readers. Keep reading for the latest form, stats and the most generous online betting odds from leading UK bookmakers.

Cacace vs Wood odds

Anthony Cacace is the current IBO world champion, making another defence of his prized possession against a dangerous opponent. The boxer from Belfast travels to England on a long unbeaten run stretching back eight fights and almost eight years. The sole loss on his card was a decision at Wembley Arena against Martin J Ward. He came agonisingly close to an unbeaten record, but continues to learn and improve with every fight. Will he add another big win on Saturday before a huge audience?

Leigh Wood is a real fan favourite and a fighter who always guarantees value for money. The local boxer will enjoy the bulk of the support at the Nottingham Arena, with a loyal band of followers eager to roar their man to another crucial victory. Score a home win on Saturday evening before the live television cameras, and Wood will catapult himself towards bigger fights and more high-paying nights. First, he must dethrone the champion and prove there’s plenty more left in the tank.

Who will win this battle of Britain? Do you side with the champion or go with the more experienced fighter? Both warriors arrive in great shape and excellent form. Finding the winner won’t be easy, but traders working at the leading online sportsbooks have made their decision, setting up camp in Team Cacace. The champion carries the support of the betting industry, which seems convinced they’re on the winning side. Do you bet on Cacace living up to expectations or take the value available on a win for Woods?

• Anthony Cacace to win at 4/9 with bet365
• Draw at 14/1 with bet365
• Leigh Wood to win at 15/8 with bet365

Odds provided by bet365, which are correct at the time of writing, but please remember boxing betting prices can and often do change approaching the first bell.

Cacace vs Wood outcome odds

Unlike many title fights, the pre-bout betting is competitive. Cacace is a strong favourite, and it’s easy to see why the traders are backing him to win. You’ll find enough in the champion’s price to merit a bet, either as a single or as part of your fight night accumulators. There’s more to get excited about if taking a chance on the underdog or the level finish. 

If you’re looking for better odds and are willing to take a bit more of a risk, the method of victory market may catch your eye. With this option, you predict which fighter will win and how they’ll achieve the result: either on points or by KO/TKO. It’s trickier than the fight winner market, of course, but the prizes are worth winning. 

Regular readers of my articles know I’m a big fan of the method of victory betting market, as following the stats and form often leads you to a healthy profit.

If you expect Saturday’s attraction to go all 12 rounds, you can pick either the champion or the challenger to win on points. But if you expect a bad-tempered affair with both men going on the attack from the first bell, you can pick one to win inside the distance. Here’s the latest betting odds available in the method of victory market at bet365.

• Anthony Cacace by KO/TKO at 12/5 with bet365
• Anthony Cacace on points at 13/10 with bet365
• Leigh Wood by KO/TKO at 4/1 bet365
• Leigh Wood on points at 11/2 bet365

Odds provided by bet365 are subject to change.

Apache has 23 wins from 24 fights

Anthony Cacace travels from Belfast to Nottingham with a professional boxing record detailing 23 wins against one defeat. Just eight wins scored inside the distance result in a lowly 35% knockout average. Apache is a man who relies on his skills to overwhelm opponents and catch the eye of the scoring judges. Everyone connected to the champion would view another points win as a fantastic result, continuing his winning ways.

Since losing on a points decision to Martin J Ward in London, Cacace has fought eight times and collected eight wins. Looking closely at the stats, we note Anthony won seven of eight on the scorecards, stopping Joe Cordina inside eight rounds at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, to win the IBF and IBO titles. Two split decision wins are also included in that run, beating Sam Bowen in Birmingham and Michael Magnesi in Manchester by narrow margins. 

Supporters last saw Cacace in action when beating the much-loved Josh Warrington on points at Wembley Stadium. Win number 23 came on the undercard of Daniel Dubois’s stunning stoppage of former world champion Anthony Joshua at the home of English football. He’s now enjoyed an eight-month break from the ring and returns fit, firing and hungry for more glory. Will he get the job done in his opponent’s backyard?

Stats:

• Age: 36 years old
• Height: 5′ 10″
• Weight: Super featherweight
• Record: 23-1-0

Lethal boasts two huge wins

Leigh Wood is an experienced Englishman who has campaigned at several of the lighter weights. He’s a former world champion, winning the WBA regular title in 2021 before adding the WBA strap proper in 2023. Wood now has a golden opportunity to return to the top table, this time dominating at super featherweight. Does he have the strength to compete in the heavier division, mixing it with the leading names? We’ll get an answer to that question on fight night, but there’s reason to be confident.

Lethal Lee has won 28 of his previous 31 starts, including 17 wins by stoppage. Two of his three defeats have come inside the distance, stopped by Gavin McDonell at super-bantamweight more than a decade ago and Mauricio Lara at this venue in 2023. The majority points defeat was inflicted by James Dickens at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, losing by a razor-thin margin in 2020. Despite those defeats, Wood arrives on a two-fight winning streak.

Since he was stopped in round seven by Lara, Wood has beaten the same opponent on the scorecards in a fascinating rematch. The beaten man was sent to the canvas in the opening exchanges, and Wood fought through a nasty cut above his eye to impress the judges. He then dealt with former world champion and long-time rival Josh Warrington of Leeds inside seven rounds. That victory over the Road Warrior pushed Wood back up the pecking order and into championship company. Will he seize his opportunity?

Stats:

• Age: 36 years old
• Height: 5′ 7″
• Weight: Super featherweight
• Record: 28-3-0

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