ANTHONY CACACE celebrated in style as he snatched his latest world-champion scalp with a ninth-round stoppage of Leigh Wood.
The pair of 36-year-olds clashed at super-featherweight at Woods’ local Nottingham arena.
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But the Belfast beast – who beat Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington in his previous two outings – overpowered his fellow veteran just before the championship rounds.
He marked the money-spinning win by posing in the ring with his team, Frank Warren and some big cigars.
Forest fan Wood had got his jab firing off quickly, tagging Cacace to head and body.
But the Northern Ireland ace was clever and spiteful, slashing right hands in, when Wood dared get too close.
Cacace settled into the second and started to land his left hooks.
But, right on the bell, Wood rolled under an attack and seemed to crack his rival with a perfect left hook.
Wood’s double jabs in the third were crisp and caused switch-hitter Cacace to turn southpaw for the first time.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair until Cacace took over and in round nine he put one foot on Wood’s neck and the other on the accelerator.
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A left hook robbed Wood of his balance and his soul.
And trainer Ben Davison expertly threw in his white towel, to save his man, and spark wild celebrations back in Andytown.
The former world champ, who relinquished his title to face Wood, said: “I took this fight purely for money.
“It was for double what the world title defence of my old belt would have been.
“I am 36 now, so ‘Show me the Money!’
“I would love a Belfast homecoming but it’s my time now to keep on trucking.”
