Cristiano Ronaldo congratulates Anthony Cacace after historic night for Belfast boxer in Saudi Arabia

Anthony Cacace was congratulated by a global sporting superstar in the wake of his historic win in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The 'Andytown Apache' produced a devastating performance as he scored a sensational stoppage win over Joe Cordina.

The Belfast boxer had Cordina down in the third before stopping the Welshman in the eighth to add Cordina's IBF belt to his own IBO title. Cacace also becomes the first male Irish boxer to become a World super-featherweight champion.

It was a proud moment for the 35-year-old at the Kingdom Arena but it was capped off as Cacace was congratulated by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al-Nassr captain was ringside for the boxing and the footballing icon was only too happy to pose for pictures with Cacace and his team.

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Coach Michael Hawkins Jr posted the pics on Facebook saying: "Cristiano Ronaldo congratulating Anthony Cacace & Team last night at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh after Anto unified the Super Feather weight division and became Ireland's first ever Super Featherweight champion of the world."

It was an incredible night for the Belfast boxer and he told Sky Sports afterwards that Saudi Arabia is the place to be. "I want to fight in Saudi Arabia all the time. From here now on I want to be fighting here every single time. It's the place. No more in the UK," he said.

"A wee lad from Andytown came all the way to Saudi Arabia and smashed up a champion. Joe is a hell of a competitor. He is an Olympian, a two-time World champion. I give him his dues, but tonight I was hurting him with every single shot. But I have nothing but respect for him and I'd love to run that back.

"I am in shock! Nobody gave me a chance to do this here. But I came over here confident with Mickey Hawkins, Barry O'Neill, Michael Hawkins Jnr, Andy O'Neill and Iain Mahood. We have all done this job. The first Irish super-featherweight champion of the world! And I am proud to make history tonight."

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