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Philippines, 02 Feb 2026 |
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Diego Pacheco Outclasses Steven Nelson in Unanimous Decision Victory in Las Vegas PhilBoxing.com Sun, 26 Jan 2025  Rising super-middleweight contender Diego Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) continued his ascent in the division with a dominant unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Steven Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs) at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Pacheco showcased his power, precision, and poise throughout the 12-round contest, earning a 117-111 score on all three judges' scorecards. Fight Recap: Pacheco Overcomes Early Pressure Nelson came out aggressive in the opening rounds, applying constant pressure and forcing Pacheco onto the back foot. However, the tide shifted in Round 4, when Pacheco opened a cut over Nelson’s left eye with a sharp right hand. From Rounds 5 to 10, Pacheco took full control, landing devastating right hands and uppercuts, visibly shaking Nelson on multiple occasions. Despite the relentless onslaught, Nelson displayed remarkable toughness, weathering the storm and pushing forward. In the final two rounds, Nelson mounted a late rally, landing a powerful left hook in Round 12 that momentarily stunned Pacheco. This punch has troubled Pacheco in previous fights, notably against Marcelo Esteban Coceres in 2023. Still, the 23-year-old Californian remained composed, closing the fight strong and securing a well-earned victory.  Pacheco Eyes Bigger Challenges at 168 lbs Following the win, Pacheco expressed his readiness for elite competition, though promoter Eddie Hearn emphasized that he may still be one or two fights away from a potential clash with undisputed champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Another potential opponent in discussion is Edgar Berlanga, who, like Pacheco, fights under the Matchroom Boxing banner.  Co-Main Event: Andy Cruz Dominates Omar Salcido In the co-feature, Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (5-0, 2 KOs) put on a boxing clinic against Mexico’s Omar Salcido (20-2, 14 KOs), winning a unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 98-92). Cruz displayed exceptional footwork, speed, and ring generalship, outlanding Salcido in every round. The Cuban nearly stopped Salcido in Round 10, forcing him to hold on to survive the final moments of the fight. Undercard Results: ✅ Super-Lightweight: Ernesto "Tito" Mercado def. Jose Pedraza via fourth-round TKO ✅ Super-Lightweight: Leonardo Rubalcava & Israel Mercado fought to a majority draw (74-76, 75-75, 75-75) ✅ Super-Welterweight: Nishant Dev def. Alton Wiggins via first-round KO ✅ Lightweight: Harley Mederos def. Arturo de Isla via third-round KO ✅ Super-Featherweight: Zaquin Moses def. Mario Garcia via first-round TKO (injury stoppage) What’s Next for Pacheco? With 23 wins and 18 knockouts, Pacheco remains one of the fastest-rising stars at 168 lbs. While a bout with Canelo Alvarez may still be a year away, potential matchups with top contenders like Edgar Berlanga or Caleb Plant could be on the horizon. For now, Pacheco continues to cement his status as a legitimate title threat in the super-middleweight division.  |
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