July 7, 2023; Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; Diego Pacheco and Manuel Gallegos throughout their battle on the Cintermex in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Obligatory Credit score: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
Diego Pacheco is angling for a showdown in opposition to Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia or different prime tremendous middleweights within the division. First he should get previous Shawn McCalman in a conflict of unbeatens on April 6.
Boxingscene’s Keith Idec was the primary to report the story.
The ten-round bout will happen at a website to be decided, however will stream stay on DAZN. The Pacheco-McCalman battle would be the co-featured bout on a Matchroom Boxing card that might be headlined by junior welterweight contender Richardson Hitchins going through an opponent to be decided in a probable IBF world title elimination bout.
The 22-year-old Pacheco (20-0, 17 knockouts), who presently trains in Renton, Washington, had a breakthrough 2023, notching three knockout victories to change into a legit contender. Pacheco is presently rated No. 8 by The Ring at 168 kilos.
In his final bout on November 18, Pacheco knocked out former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres of Argentina within the ninth spherical. Pacheco overcame the more-experienced Coceres, displaying a powerful chin on his half as he broke down Coceres en path to the knockout win.
The victory over Coceres occurred in Inglewood, California, not removed from the South Central Los Angeles neighborhood he grew up in.
Pacheco has displayed extra energy and aggression in latest fights, having stopped his final 9 opponents. He’s presently educated by Jose Benavidez, Sr., who trains unbeaten tremendous middleweight contender David Benavidez.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has talked about a doable battle later this yr between Pacheco and Berlanga, who faces Padraig McCrory on February 24. Different doable opponents for Pacheco might be Christian Mbilli, who stopped Rohan Murdock this previous Saturday, or Vladimir Shishkiin, each of whom are unbeaten.
McCalman (15-0, 7 knockouts), who resides within the Denver, Colorado suburb of Aurora, final fought on December 16, defeating gatekeeper Cristian Olivas by determination over eight one-sided rounds.
In his earlier battle on August 18, McCalman scored the most important win of his profession, on paper, defeating prospect Cash Powell IV by unanimous determination. The 30-year-old is managed by Jolene Mizzone.
Hitchins (17-0, 7 KOs) is presently ranked No. 6 by The Ring at 140 kilos. He defeated former world title challenger Jose Zepeda by unanimous determination in his final bout on September 23.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He might be reached at [email protected]
Observe @FSalazarBoxing