BoxRec

WBA orders Anthony Cacace to make mandatory title defense against interim champion Elnur Samedov

The ⁠World Boxing Association’s Championships Committee has officially ordered their super featherweight champion, Anthony Cacace 25-1 (9 KOs) to make a mandatory title defense against interim champion and mandatory challenger Elnur Samedov.

The camps have until July 14 to reach a deal. If they can’t reach an agreement, the bout will be sent to a purse bid.

Cacace captured the WBA’s super featherweight title in March, via a unanimous 12-round decision over Jazza Dickens in Dublin, Ireland. Samedov became their interim champion by defeating John Lenon Gutiérrez of Colombia via TKO 11 in February.

Under WBA Championship Rule C.10, “…a champion is required to defend the title against the highest-ranked available contender within 120 days of winning the championship, provided that no official challenger has been designated.”

I had it in my head that Cacace was retired.

Anthony Cacace ordered to defend WBA World super-featherweight title to mandatory challenger

Anthony Cacace vs Elnur Samedov

The World Boxing Association, through its Championships Committee, has officially ordered the mandatory super-featherweight world title bout between WBA and IBO champion Anthony Cacace and Interim champion and mandatory challenger Elnur Samedov.

Both camps will have a 30-day negotiation period to reach an agreement. The negotiation window begins on June 2 and will remain open until July 2.

Under WBA Championship Rule C.10, a champion is required to defend the title against the highest-ranked available contender within 120 days of winning the championship, provided that no official challenger has been designated.

Since Cacace captured the title on March 14, 2026, his mandatory defense must take place no later than July 14, 2026, against mandatory challenger Elnur Samedov. In addition, pursuant to WBA Rule C.13 regarding bout limitations, the champion is prohibited from competing against any boxer other than the official challenger during the final 60 days preceding the mandatory defense deadline.

Both parties are now required to begin negotiations. Should they fail to reach an agreement within the allotted timeframe, or if either side refuses to sign the contract, the WBA reserves the right to send the bout to a purse bid.