Anthony Cacace

The Belfast puncher challenges British champion Martin J Ward on the Chris Eubank jnr versus Arthur Abraham undercard at the Wembley Arena in London with the vacant Commonwealth title also being on the line.

And Cacace says he would loved to have had the clash in his some city.

“I wanted to have it in Belfast, but what can you do? Martin Ward didn’t want it.

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“He was offered more money and he still didn’t want it. There was nothing I could do but go there.”

“I don’t mind travelling. I travelled most of my amateur career. As a professional I’ve travelled and boxed everywhere.

“It’s no issue, as long as everything’s kept on a fairly even level. Obviously if it’s a close fight I’m not going to get the nod, but I don’t mind.

“I’ll just have to go over to London and smash him up.”

And Cacace says it is a compliment that Ward didn’t seem to keen to come to Belfast.

“I don’t really look at it like that, but Ward obviously didn’t want to come here because he thinks it could be a good fight, a close fight, and that I could get the decision – that’s definitely part of the reason.

“He’s a quality fighter, no doubt about it. He’s not where he is for nothing, but I believe I’m just as good.

“He’s got quick feet and good hands, so I know I will have to be on my game that night.”

The 28 year old has fought at home just four times as a professional , and not since February 2015, something he desperately wants to change.

“I 100% want to be defending it here in front of my home crowd.

“No one outside of boxing knows me, which is something I need to work on – and the only way to work on that is winning titles and I am determined to do that on July 15.