Cacace-Ball Upgraded to WBA Super Title Fight as Samedov Elevated

Anthony Cacace has been elevated to WBA super-featherweight Super Champion, with Elnur Samedov raised from interim titleholder to champion after the governing body resolved the dispute that had stalled their mandatory fight.

The ruling clears Cacace to make his scheduled December 19 fight with Nick Ball in Belfast as his permitted voluntary defence. The bout, announced on August 29 during Queensberry’s show at The O2 in London, is due to be shown on DAZN.

At the time of the announcement, the WBA had yet to settle Cacace’s title situation. WBA president Gilberto J Mendoza responded publicly, writing: "Interesting, I haven’t received the final decision from @WBABoxing championship committee."

That decision has now been issued. Rather than forcing Cacace-Samedov immediately to purse bid, the WBA has elevated Cacace to Super Champion and authorised the Ball fight as his one voluntary defence before the mandatory must be fulfilled.

Cacace won the WBA title on March 13, 2026, while Samedov stopped John Lenon Gutiérrez in the 11th round in February to claim the interim belt.

Mandatory delayed by UK licensing issue

The WBA ordered Cacace to defend against Samedov on June 2, with Queensberry Promotions and Titov Boxing Promotions later given until July 14 to reach terms.

Queensberry subsequently submitted contracts for the fight to take place in Northern Ireland, but the British Boxing Board of Control declined to approve Samedov to box in the UK after reviewing documentation relating to his citizenship and residency. That prevented the proposed staging from moving forward.

Queensberry then asked the WBA on August 17 for permission for Cacace to make a voluntary defence instead, arguing that the impasse had been caused by the regulatory decision rather than either fighter and that moving the mandatory outside the UK could significantly affect Cacace’s earning potential.

Titov opposed any delay to Samedov’s title opportunity and asked the WBA to keep the mandatory in place, or at minimum set firm terms for it if Cacace was granted a voluntary defence.

The WBA said it did not agree with the BBBoC’s decision but recognised the authority of local commissions to regulate boxing within their jurisdictions. It therefore accepted that the ruling created a practical obstacle to staging Cacace-Samedov in the UK and granted Cacace permission to proceed with Ball.

Samedov next for Cacace-Ball winner

The ruling does not remove Samedov from the title picture. The winner of Cacace-Ball must next face him for the WBA Super Championship, with the mandatory to take place on neutral territory at a venue approved by the parties and on a date to be determined by the WBA Championships Committee.

The Cacace-Ball winner will have 12 days after the voluntary defence to confirm participation in the Samedov mandatory. The WBA will then issue a separate ruling covering the terms of that fight, including the purse split if it proceeds to purse bid.

The governing body has also ruled out further detours. No additional special permission will be granted before the mandatory is completed or an agreement is reached, and no unification fight can take place while the division remains without a single WBA champion.

Cacace can therefore proceed with Ball on December 19, with Samedov waiting for the winner in the division’s next mandatory fight.