Cacace stops Wood in the ninth
Nottingham boxer had beat count earlier in round
Belfast's Cacace now 24-1; Wood 28-4
Cacace vacated his IBF super-featherweight world title before taking fight
Former featherweight world champion Wood was returning to the ring after 19 months out
Cacace v Wood
Anthony Cacace lands with a couple of rights over the top but Leigh Wood finds some joy with his jab.
Plenty of cagey exchanges in the middle of the ring with both fighters feeling their way into it.
It was a respectful build-up and that's been reflected in the opening round.
"That's a good round, Anto," Cacace's corner tells him.
Cacace v Wood
Two-time former world champion Leigh Wood has a professional record of 28 wins and three defeats.
Anthony Cacace has 23 wins and a single defeat from his 24 bouts.
Unsurprisingly, he is attracting a few boos in Nottingham tonight. It won't bother him one bit.
Cacace v Wood
Anthony Cacace is all smiles as he walks out. Looking nice and relaxed.
He's had some big wins over the past couple of years - is he going to have another tonight?
Cacace v Wood
Here come the ring walks.
Leigh Wood is out first and he's greeted by a huge roar.
Looks like a cracking atmosphere inside the Motorpoint Arena.
Cacace v Wood
Image source, Getty ImagesTonight's homecoming is the first time Leigh Wood has been in the ring since his sensational October 2023 knockout of Josh Warrington in Sheffield.
Injuries, a change of promoter and his desire to stage a fight at Nottingham Forest's City Ground all played their part in the unwanted hiatus, but the two-time world champion doesn't feel the 19-month lay-off will show against Cacace.
"A lot of people are probably betting on that lay-off to be my undoing, but I'll prove them wrong," Wood told BBC East Midlands Today.
"It's been 19 months out of the ring, but not out of the gym. I've always been working, doing what I can do and living the life.
"That is what will pay dividends for me on fight night. I live the life. It's not just for a week, but it's week in, week out, year in and year out.
"I'm extremely focused, I've done everything I need to do and I feel great."
Cacace v Wood
Image source, Getty ImagesCacace does not believe the crowd will be a factor in tonight's fight.
The 36-year-old said he could have pushed for this one to be staged in Belfast but was happy to take on the former two-time world champion Wood in his own home city.
"I'm sure Leigh would have travelled to Belfast but I decided to come to Nottingham, Leigh sells a lot of tickets and it's something new for me," Cacace said at Thursday's pre-fight press conference.
"I don't need anybody to bring me on, I have it in my heart and the desire in myself.
"I'm going to win the fight in Nottingham in front of his home crowd and I'm going to go home."
Cacace v Wood
In the chief support, Ezra Taylor has just secured a unanimous-decision win over Troy Jones.
The 10-round bout was scored 97-94, 100-90, 99-91 in Taylor's favour.
With that done and dusted, we're not far away from the big one.
Cacace v Wood
Here's a look at how Leigh Wood and Anthony Cacace have fared in their past five fights.
Cacace's run of course includes a memorable world title win over Joe Cordina and a comfortable victory over Josh Warrington at Wembley last September.
Wood's last fight was also a win over Warrington, 19 months ago. He lost to Mauricio Lara in February 2023 but bounced back to beat the Mexican three months later.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, BBC SportCacace v Wood
After 19 months out of the ring, Leigh Wood is back in action.
Fighting at home in Nottingham, he takes on Belfast's Anthony Cacace for the IBO super-featherweight title tonight at the Motorpoint Arena.
The chief support contest between Ezra Taylor and Troy Jones has reached the final, so we don't have long to wait before the main event!
It should be an engrossing battle between two accomplished and experienced fighters.