Leigh Wood's long-anticipated return to boxing ended in a ninth-round stoppage at the hands of the electric Antony Cacace.
After a 19-month lay-off, the two-time WBA featherweight champion delivered a gallant display in front of a raucous home crowd inside Nottingham Arena but was ultimately outgunned by a man in spectacular form.
The Belfast boxer, who upset Joe Cordina last May to win IBF super featherweight gold on the undercard to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, was comfortably up on the scorecards until a decisive combination in the ninth left the home favourite staggering against the ropes.
Wood displayed commendable if inadvisable heart to continue trading blows and desperately seek a knockout, but Cacace continued to deal damage and had his opponent edging towards the corner by the time the towel was thrown in.
A cagey fight came to life in the third when Cacace began to land telling and heavy shots, his immaculate footwork and superior reach putting him in control of the exchanges.
Wood came out swinging in the fourth and hurt Cacace with an uppercut to the body, but it proved a false dawn. Cacace looked every bit the man in form and condition, his precision jabs keeping Wood from turning the bout into a dogfight. Even after sustaining a cut cheek in the eighth, he grinned at the bell after Wood began to throw some desperate hooks.
A telling combination at the start of the ninth rattled the Englishman, and the first count came after the ropes kept him up. Wood, of course, refused to give in, landing some powerful blows as Cacace moved in for the kill even as he struggled to keep his eyes on the Irishman.
Cacace was relentless, though, and Wood's corner smartly brought matters to a close after their man took a punishing body combo. Dejected as he was, it's hard to imagine Wood could have offered much more after the best part of two years out, and the 36-year-old's career is unblemished by this.
At the same age, Cacace is on a different trajectory. "I didn't beat the best Leigh Wood but I beat Leigh Wood," he said, thanking the Nottingham crowd.
"I took this fight solely for money. The money was double. Show me the money, I will travel anywhere. My time is now."
MORE: Anthony Cacace ready to defend IBO title against his third two-time world champion in a row
Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood main card results
- Anthony Cacace def. Leigh Wood (TKO 9/12) to retain the IBO super featherweight title
- Ezra Taylor def. Troy Jones (UD 10), Light Heavyweights
- Liam Davies def. Kurt Walker (UD 12), Featherweights
- Owen Cooper def. Chris Kongo (UD 10), Welterweights
- Sam Noakes def. Patrik Balaz via (KO 3/8) Super Lightweights
Where to watch Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood
- Live Stream: DAZN
Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood will be available on DAZN worldwide.