Luke Caci is planning to sign off from 2018 with another victory next month and then drop down to become a super middleweight in the new year.
Caci has announced his intentions to make 168lbs, after starting his pro career as a light heavy, ahead of fight night at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday December 8.
He features on Errol Johnson’s BCB Promotions next show at the venue, which is fast becoming the home of Black Country boxing.
He’ll be looking to make it a magnificent seven in the paid ranks, after picking up six points wins so far. He won the eight-round British Challenge title earlier this year.
His two toughest contests have come over the past 12 months, both at the King’s Hall in Stoke-on-Trent, starting when he survived a late gut check to beat Chris Dutton on points.
It was a comfortable win, in the end, with referee Shaun Messer having him well ahead by four rounds, in a 78-74 decision.
A four-rounder against Craig Nicholson, who had only lost once in five outings going into battle, proved another slugfest.
Caci rolled over him for the loss of just one round, 39-37 and again with Mr Messer, but knew he’d been in a fight afterwards.
It gave him some food for thought though, which has led to the 28-year-old making the decision to campaign at a new weight in 2019.
The Orme Boxing Club graduate, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, believes he can shed the pounds required to make the super middle limit without too much hassle.
He said: “My last four-rounder was a tough one, he really came to win and he was a decent fighter. I had to perform and that’s what you want every time.
“I train my hardest for each fight, day in and day out, and I like the regiment of camp. The runs, eating right and grafting in the gym becomes routine.
“There’s a buzz about being fit and focused, I’m a boxer and I look forward to getting in the ring. Come December 8, I’ll be ready to be all business.
“It’s been a good year, winning a title obviously was a highlight but I’m pleased with it. It’s about December 8 now and then looking forward to 2019.
“I don’t put too much pressure on myself, as I long as I’m enjoying my boxing is all that matters. When my time comes, I’ll get myself prepared for it.
“I’m planning to go down to super middle, I make light heavy too easy and I don’t think I’ll find much harder to make the weight. Maybe it’s natural.
“There are some beasts at light heavy now and I’m not particularly big at the weight. I’ve been coming in under the limit, so I may as well drop down.
“When I was an amateur, middleweight was too small for me so I always boxed at light heavy and I took that into being a pro. I just stayed there.
“It’s the right time to do it and I’ll feel even more confident at super middle. Perhaps my power will tell a little bit more against future opponents.”
The main event at the Town Hall will see local favourite James Beech Jr, of Bloxwich, contest the vacant Midlands super featherweight title with Tamworth’s Louis Fielding.
Two six-rounders support the top of the bill, with major domestic challengers Ricky Summers and Tyler Denny returning to action.
Tipton’s Summers challenged for the British light heavyweight crown last year and was last ruled out of a clash with Olympian Joshua Buatsi through injury.
Denny, from Rowley Regis, has recovered from the horrific split lip and heavy swelling by his eye that put paid to his English title aspirations in September.
‘Ruthless’ still reigns supreme as the Midlands middleweight champion and is determined to bounce back from that eighth round retirement to Reece Cartwright.
Another man with a point to prove will be Craig Morris, from Ludlow in Shropshire, who is looking to rebound from his own September setback.
Morris last lost in a televised thriller at welter with Scott Fitzgerald, who pulled a 10th and final round stoppage out of the hat when he looked behind on points.
Lee Glover returns to the ring after two years out. ‘The Tipton Slasher’ has competed for Midlands and English honours, the latter at two weights. He’s back at super feather.
Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, a protege of boxing legend Ricky Hatton, targets a hat-trick of paid successes. The Merridale BC graduate only turned over on September 22.
Walsall’s Levi Ferguson and out-of-towners Nathan Reeve and Cole Johnson complete the card at super welterweight, bantam and lightweight respectively.
Tickets, priced at £35 standard or £60 VIP ringside with a buffet and waitress service, are on sale from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. It will be £40 for entry on the door.
The Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on Bentley Mill Way, are the show’s headline sponsors. They will host the weigh in y (over 18s).
