Tremendous middleweight contender Diego Pacheco will get his 2025 going early with a January 25 DAZN most important occasion in opposition to Steven Nelson from Las Vegas, and the 24-year-old is hoping that is the 12 months the place he’ll get his first world title combat.
“I really feel that after placing on a fantastic efficiency with Steven Nelson, I’ll be nearer to combating for a world title,” Pacheco stated at his media exercise.
“Clearly, Canelo has three of the belts, and [William] Scull has the opposite belt. Both one who’d like to present me the chance, that’d be superb. Who would be the one that’s going to present me the problem? I don’t know, however hopefully, this 12 months, I get to combat for a world title.
“I’m turning 24 this 12 months and I feel that is the correct time. I really feel that now I’ve amassed the power. I’m extra centered than ever, and I’m prepared.”
Pacheco (22-0, 18 KO) final fought on Aug. 31, stopping veteran Maciej Sulecki within the sixth spherical, and in addition beat Shawn McCalman in April of final 12 months.
The 36-year-old Nelson (20-0, 16 KO) can be undefeated, however in a a lot totally different type of place in some ways. His age, clearly, means he’s no “prospect,” and it’s additionally appeared clear for years that the Terence Crawford-backed Omaha native has been extra of a part-time professional fighter, often combating overmatched opponents and barely combating on something however a Crawford undercard. He didn’t combat in any respect in 2021, then simply as soon as every in 2022-24, all on Crawford reveals.
Nelson does have some expertise, although, and Pacheco can’t afford to disregard the menace he does pose, which incorporates some punching energy. Whereas on paper Nelson is extra of a fringe contender, that’s for individuals who aren’t within the ring with him to assume, and Pacheco might want to focus and impress, particularly if he actually needs that title shot this 12 months.
Extra from Pacheco’s media exercise
On plans for 2025: “It excites me to stay up for the following 12 months. I’ve numerous starvation to maintain working and hold making ready for these new challenges. That’s principally it, simply lock in and be prepared for the brand new 12 months and no matter problem comes my manner.”
On Steven Nelson: “I do know Steven Nelson from being certainly one of Terence Crawford’s fighters. I do know he’s from Omaha, Nebraska, and that he’s 36 years outdated. That’s just about it. For me, he’s simply one other opponent. I’m coming in to knock him out.”
On the way it feels to combat somebody backed by Terence Crawford: “It makes it a enjoyable combat. Having a high pound-for-pound fighter like Crawford in your nook is at all times factor, however he can’t get in there and combat for him. He could be a good cheerleader on the sidelines, however that’s just about it.”
On Nelson’s expertise on large reveals: “I really feel that the Crawford-Madrimov pay-per-view was a fantastic expertise for him, and perhaps that sense of confidence made him assume that he was prepared for somebody like me. He’s going to have an enormous shock, and he’s going to seek out out he’s not able to face somebody like me. He’s by no means been within the ring with a fighter like me.”
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