WBA Creates Second Champion Before Cacace-Ball

Anthony Cacace and Nick Ball already had a worthwhile domestic fight. The WBA has now decorated it with the sort of title arrangement that requires several paragraphs and a strong cup of coffee to understand.

Cacace has been elevated to “super champion” at super featherweight, while Elnur Samedov becomes the organization’s second world champion. Cacace can proceed with his planned voluntary defense against Ball on December 19 in Belfast.

The winner must then face Samedov in neutral territory. That fighter will have only 12 days after the Ball fight to confirm participation in the mandatory defense.

The mess began when the British Boxing Board of Control rejected Samedov’s application to compete in the United Kingdom. The WBA said the ruling followed a review of documentation related to his citizenship and residency. Samedov was born in Azerbaijan and is based in Russia.

Queensberry argued that Cacace should not lose a lucrative home fight because of a regulatory issue outside his control. That part is reasonable. Turning one championship into two was not the only available answer. Cacace received special permission, while Samedov was upgraded, allowing both men to hold versions of the same title. The WBA has additionally prohibited any unification until the division returns to one champion.

That leaves Cacace and Ball fighting for the superior label while Samedov waits with a championship of his own. In practice, the resolution manufactured the duplication that the WBA claims to eliminate.

Two recognized champions also create the possibility of more title fights and additional sanctioning fees. The WBA did not identify fees as the reason for its ruling, but its solution conveniently expands the number of boxers paying to compete under its banner. Cacace, 37, surrendered his IBF title in January 2025 rather than defend against Eduardo Nunez. He explained that he wanted the largest available fights during the final stage of his career. That choice led to a profitable British contest against Leigh Wood.

The same financial calculation applies here. Ball is recognizable, aggressive, and capable of helping sell an arena in Belfast. Samedov offers less commercial value and cannot box in Cacace’s home market under the current British ruling.

Mandatories are intended to give deserving contenders their opportunity. In this case, the obligation conflicts directly with the veteran champion’s effort to maximize his remaining paydays.

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