AS VEGAS – Friday, January 17 – Undefeated Super-Middleweight Diego Pacheco held a media workout at Artist Boxing Gym and Fitness in Las Vegas yesterday, ahead of his clash with fellow undefeated fighter, Steven “So Cold” Nelson, on the Matchroom card at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas on Saturday, January 25, live worldwide on DAZN.
WBO No. 1-ranked contender Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs), who is trained by Jose Benavidez, is also ranked No. 3 at 168-pounds by the WBC and No. 6 with the IBF. Fresh off a statement victory in August against former world title challenger Maciej Sulecki in his hometown of Los Angeles, Calif., he will be headlining his sixth show in a row and fighting for the second time in Las Vegas. His opponent, Nelson, (20-0, 16 KOs) has been hunting a big fight and now gets the chance to derail Pacheco’s rise to the top and move himself into a top position. The 36-year-old last tasted action in August in Los Angeles with a fifth-round stoppage win over Marcos Rodriguez on the undercard of his good friend and fellow Omaha fighter, Terence Crawford.
This is what Pacheco had to say ahead of his fight next week:
On looking ahead to 2025…
“It excites me to look ahead to the next 12 months. I have a lot of hunger to keep working and keep preparing for these new challenges like the one on January 25. That’s basically it–just lock in and be ready for the new year and whatever challenge comes my way.
On Steven Nelson, his opponent next week…
“I know Steven Nelson from being one of Terence Crawford’s fighters. I know he’s from Omaha, Nebraska, and that he is 36 years old. That’s pretty much it. For me, he’s just another opponent. I’m coming in to knock him out on January 25th.”
On how it feels to fight someone heavily backed by Terence Crawford…
“It makes it a fun fight. Having a top pound-for-pound fighter like Crawford in your corner is always a good thing, but he can’t get in there and fight for him. He can be a good cheerleader on the sidelines, but that is pretty much it.”
On Steven Nelson’s experience in big shows and confidence on a big card…
“I feel that the Crawford-Madrimov pay-per-view was a great experience for him, and maybe that sense of confidence made him think that he was ready for someone like me. But on January 25, he’s going to have a big surprise, and he’s going to find out he’s not ready to face someone like me. He’s never been in the ring with a fighter like me. On January 25th, I’m looking forward to another great night.”
On his world title shot…
“I feel that after putting on a great performance with Steven Nelson on January 25, I’ll be closer to fighting for a world title. Obviously, Canelo has three of the belts, and [William] Scull has the other belt. Either one who’d like to give me the opportunity–-that’d be amazing. Who will be the one that is going to give me the challenge? I don’t know, but hopefully, this year, I get to fight for a world title. I’m turning 24 this year and I think this is the right time. I feel that now I have amassed the strength. I’m more focused than ever, and I’m ready.”
ABOUT PACHECO VS. NELSON:
Undefeated super-middleweight and WBO No. 1-ranked contender Diego Pacheco will face fellow undefeated contender Steven Nelson in a 12-round, 168-pound bout, headlining the 2025 Matchroom Boxing and DAZN kickoff fight card in the United States. The event will take place at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas on Saturday, January 25, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN. In the co-main event, Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist Andy Cruz takes on Omar Salcido in a 10-round lightweight bout for the IBF International and WBA Continental Latin American titles. The undercard also features unbeaten, super-lightweight Ernesto ‘Tito’ Mercado making his Matchroom debut against former two-time world champion Jose Pedraza in a 10-round super-lightweight bout. The DAZN broadcast will kick off with young Matchroom talent Leonardo Rubalcava facing Californian Israel Mercado in an eight-round super-lightweight contest. Additionally, newly signed Matchroom talent, Indian Olympian Nishant Dev, will make his professional debut, headlining the Before the Bell livestream action, which also includes another Matchroom signing, Zaquin Moses, in his second professional bout, and unbeaten lightweight Harley Mederos, who will face Arturo de Isla in Mederos’ first fight since signing a promotional deal with Matchroom.
ABOUT THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS:
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a unique luxury resort and casino that offers a decidedly different perspective. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Cosmopolitan’s distinct vertical multi-tower design features more than 3,000 guestrooms with residential living spaces, private terraces and breathtaking views of the city skyline. Luxury amenities include a premier lineup of world-class culinary experiences; an intriguing mix of bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues; 100,000-square-foot-casino; award-winning spa, salon and fitness center; unrivaled pool district and an eclectic line-up of hand-selected boutiques. For more information visit: cosmopolitanlasvegas.com and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
