NEW YORK (February 28, 2020) -One of boxing’s hottest and most active prospects, 18 year-old Diego Pacheco makes his 2020 debut this Saturday night when he takes on grizzled 34-fight veteran Oscar Riojas when they meet at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Pacheco is managed by Split-T Management.

Pacheco of Los Angeles, will bring in a record that reads 8-0 with seven knockouts. Pacheco enjoyed a banner 2019 as he exploded on to the scene by registering six knockouts in his seven outings. Some of those six knockouts where explosive, and the young Pacheco has shot up he prospect rankings where he is considered in the top handful of prospects as he enters the new year.

Pacheco is coming off a 1st round stoppage over Selemani Saidi on December 7th on the Andy Ruiz – Anthony Joshua undercard in Saudi Arabia.

The former amateur standout has already defeated four undefeated foes, and will now look to stop the durable Riojas.

Riojas has only been stopped three times in 34 fights. He has taken world title challenger Ronald Gavril as well as puncher Immanuwel Aleem the distance.

Riojas has won three in a row.

Both Pacheco and Riojas weighed in at 167.4 lbs.

The fight can be seen live on DAZN at 6 PM ET

Pacheco is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Photo by Melina Pizano / Matchroom Boxing USA

NEW YORK (December 7, 2019)- Diego Pacheco destroyed Selemani Said in the 1st round of their scheduled four-round super middleweight bout.

Pacheco, who is managed by Split-T Management, dropped Saidi with a vicious combination that consisted of a right to the body, uppercut and a deviating left that sent Saidi down for several minutes.

The fight was halted after just 98 seconds.

Pacheco, 167.1 lbs of South Central Los Angeles is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Saidi, 166.8 lbs of Tanzania is 20-16-5.

With the win, Pacheco won his eighth bout in just under 12-months and with his last several knockouts being “Highlight-Reel” stoppages, the 18 year-old Pacheco will enter 2020 as one of the top super middleweight prospects in the world.

Pacheco is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

NEW YORK (December 6, 2019)- This Saturday in Saudi Arabia, 18 year-old sensation Diego Pacheco will look for win number eight in just under 12 months when he takes on Selemani Saidi in a super middleweight bout.

Pacheco (7-0, 6 KOs) has kept what most likely is the most ambitious schedule in the sport as he will be fighting just four weeks after his 4th round stoppage over Aaron Casper in Los Angeles.

The bout with Saidi will be part of the much anticipated Andy Ruiz Jr. – Anthony Joshua World Heavyweight title rematch undercard, and will be streamed live on DAZN beginning at 12-Noon Eastern Time.

Pacheco, of Los Angeles has already defeated four undefeated fighters, and with a win over Saidi (20-15-5, 15 KOs), Pacheco will enter 2020 near the top of many top prospect lists.

Pacheco weighed in at 167 lbs. Saidi was 166 lbs.

KSI defeated Logan Paul via split decision in front of a raucous crowd at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The two did not show much technique but they fought hard.

In round four, Paul landed a huge uppercut that sent KSI to the canvas. Referee Jack Reiss ruled that Paul held KSI’s head down and deducted two points from Paul.

That was the difference because KSI won by scores of 57-54 and 56-54. Paul won a card 56-56.

Devin Haney retained the WBC Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Alfredo Santiago.

In round five, Haney landed a hard right that was followed by a left that put Santiago on the canvas.

In round 11, Santiago was cut over his left eye.

Haney, 135 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 120-107 on all cards and is now 24-0. Santiago, 135 lbs of Fajardo, PR is 12-1.

Billy Joe Saunders retained the WBO Super Middleweight title with an 11th round stoppage over Marcelo Coceres.

For most of the 1st 10 round Saunders was largely unimpressive. He kept Coceres in the fight as the challenger started to come on in the middle rounds.

In round 11, Saunders floored Coceres with a right hook that was followed by a left. Moments later, Saunders dropped Coceres hard with an uppercut. With Coceres hurt, Saunders finished off his opponent with a five punch flurry that sent Coceres down for a 3rd and final time, and the bout was stopped at 1:59.

Saunders, 167.4 lbs of Hatfield, UK is 29-0 with 14 knockouts Coceres, 168 lbs of San Jorge, ARG is 28-1-1.

Josh Brueckner won a four-round unanimous decision over Tyler Smith in a battle of pro debuting cruiserweights.

Brueckner, 199.2 lbs of Clinton, MI won on all cards 40-36.

Brueckner proposed to his girlfriend in the ring. She said YESS!!

Good looking 18 year-old prospect Diego Pacheco stopped Aaron Casper in round four of a scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.

In round one, Pacheco dropped Casper with two hard rights to the head.

In round four, it was a right hand that was followed by a left hook that sent Casper down for a 2nd time. Pacheco then landed a barrage of punches that was finished up by a hard left and right that sent Casper down again, and the bout was stopped at 2:49.

Pacheco, 167.2 lbs of Los Angeles is 7-0 with six knockouts. Casper, 166.6 lbs of Augusta, GA is 5-4.

Ronny Rios stopped Hugo Berrio in round four of their scheduled 12-round super bantamweight bout.

Rios dominated the action until he landed a perfect short right that sent Berrio down on the ropes, and the bout was stopped at 2:56.

Rios, 120.6 lbs of Santa Ana, CA is 32-3 with 16 knockouts. Berrio, 121.6 lbs of Santa Marta, COL is 28-8-1.

Nakita Ababiy remained undefeated by defeating Jonathan Batista via disqualification after round one of their four-round middleweight bout.

Ababiy dropped Batista in the 1st round with a left hook. Later in the round, Ababiy was docked a point for hitting behind the head. Batista hit Ababiy after the bell and he was disqualified after the round.

Ababiy of New York is 8-0. Batista of Dominican Republic is 19-16.

NEW YORK (November 9, 2019)–Split-T Management’s undefeated middleweight Diego Pacheco will be in action TONIGHT!! when he takes on Aaron Casper in a six-round bout at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Pacheco of Los Angeles has a record of 6-0 with five knockouts.

Pacheco has defeated four undefeated opponents, with his last win coming on September 14th when he knocked out undefeated Terry Fernandez in three rounds in Carson, California.

Casper is the most experienced foe in Pacheco’s young career as he brings in a record of 5-3 with four knockouts.

“I am very excited for this because it is in my hometown at Staples Center, my camp went very well. I have not seen anything on Casper. I just know that he is tall, so I had good sparring partners to prepare well for this fight, and I expect him to be very tough,” said Pacheco

Casper is the most experienced foe in Pacheco’s young career as he brings in a record of 5-3 with four knockouts.

The 18 year-old Pacheco has kept a busy work schedule since turning professional as this will be Pacheco’s 6th start this year and 7th in the last calendar year.

“I am very young, and every fight is a learning experience. My team has kept me very active and it’s a pace where I think I will be competing for world championships before others at my age.”

Being from Los Angeles, Pacheco has seen many of the world class events that have taken place at Staples Center, and on Saturday night he will look to add his name to the list of high-class athletes that have played the Los Angeles venue,

“As long as I could remember, it has been a dream of mine to fight at the Staples Center. It is where the Lakers and Clippers play, and to participate in a fight here is amazing, and I am so grateful that I can display my talents at the biggest venue in my city.”

“I just want everyone to follow my journey.”

The fight will be streamed live on DAZN beginning at 7 PM ET.

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Pacheco was 167.2 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in. Casper was 166.6

Pacheco is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Photos by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

NEW YORK (September 17, 2019)–Middleweight Diego Pacheco and welterweight Boubacar Sylla each registered victories over this past weekend to keep their perfect records intact.

The pair is managed by Split-T Management.

Pacheco stopped previously undefeated Tony Fernandez at 41 seconds of round three of their fight that took place at the Dignity Health Sports Pavilion in Carson, California.

Pacheco battered Fernandez for much of the bout until he was rescued by referee Zachary Young before any further damage could occur,

Pacheco is now 6-0 with five knockouts, and while most prospects get babied along, The Los Angeles native now has wins over four undefeated foes.

Pacheco is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Sylla of Cincinnati made it 11 straight without a defeat, as he won a split decision over tough Jermaine Corley in a welterweight bout at the Resorts World Catskills Casino in Catskills, New York.

Corley tried to force the action, but Sylla boxed very well and was able to take the decision by scores of 59-55 twice and one card saw Corley 58-56.

Sylla is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

NEW YORK (September 14, 2019)–Two undefeated prospects under the Split-T Management banner will be in action tonight as in Carson, California, Diego Pacheco takes on undefeated Terry Fernandez in a middleweight bout scheduled for six-rounds. At Resorts World Catskills In Catskills, New York, welterweight Boubacar Sylla battles Jermaine Corley in a six-round bout.

Pacheco of Los Angeles has a record of 5-0 with four knockouts, and will be making his 6th appearance in the last nine-months. Pacheco, 18 years-old , has registered 1st round stoppages in his last three-outings, and will be taking on his 4th undefeated foe in his first six pro bouts. Fernandez of Oakland, California, has record of 3-0 with all three wins coming via knockout.

Pacheco, who is promoted by Matchroom Boxing, will be appearing on a DAZN streamed card beginning at 7 PM ET.

Sylla of Cincinnati, Ohio has a record of 10-0 with seven knockouts, will be making his 2nd start of 2019, as he is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over Marquis Hawthorne on June 7th.

Corley of is nine-fight veteran, who has won his last three bouts, with two of those coming over undefeated fighters. He is coming off a a decision win over Juan Mancilla on July 19th.

The 25 year-old Sylla, who is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, will be part of a card that can be seen on FITE.TV beginning at 8 PM ET.

NEW YORK (August 30, 2019)–Over the the last six-days, five highly-regarded fighters under the Split-T Management banner registered victories to remain undefeated.

Thursday night at The Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut, heavyweight Stephen Shaw scored three knockdowns en-route to a fourth round stoppage over Willie Jake Jr.

Shaw dropped Jake in each of the first three frames, and the fight was waved off at 56 seconds into the fourth round.

With the win, Shaw raises his perfect mark to 12-0 with nine knockouts.

On the same card, Hurshidbek Normatov made it nine in a row as he won a eight-round unanimous decision over veteran Walter Wright in a junior middleweight contest.

With the win, Normatov won the WBA NABA US Super Welterweight title. Normatov, who was a European Amateur Champion boxed very well as he worked behind a jab that he followed nicely with straight shots that landed throughout the contest.

Normatov of Uzbekistan, who now calls Brooklyn home won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73.

Shaw and Normatov are promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

Last Friday night in Boston, at the Encore Boston Harbor, super featherweight, Abraham Nova stopped Luis Castillo in the opening frame to retain his NABA Title.

Nova of Albany, New York landed a perfect combination that dropped Castillo down for the ten count.

With the win, Nova, who is ranked number-six by the WBA raised his mark to 16-0 with 12 knockouts.

Nova is promoted by Murphy’s Boxing.

On the same bill, welterweight Brian Ceballo kept his winning ways by stopping veteran Luis Eduardo Flores in round four of a scheduled eight-round bout.

Ceballo landed a thudding body shot that put Flores (24-15) down in a heap of trouble, and the bout was halted.

Ceballo of New York, has kept an active schedule, as he won his 4th bout of 2019 and is now 10-0 with five knockouts.

Ceballo is promoted by 360 Promotions.

Saturday night in Hermosillo, Mexico, prized middleweight prospect, Diego Pacheco stopped previously undefeated Jose Alonso Esparza inside of one round to raise his perfect mark to 5-0 with four knockouts.

The Los Angeles native has been impressive as this was the 3rd undefeated foe that Pacheco has defeated, and the 5th win in an eight-month span.

Pacheco, 18 years-old will be right back in action on September 14th in Carson, California.

Pacheco is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

NEW YORK (June 3, 2019) –Despite dictating the pace of the fight, welterweight contender Ray Robinson had to settle for a for a majority draw in his 10-round WBA International title bout with Josh Kelly in a fight that took place this past Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

Split-T Management’s prized middleweight prospect, Diego Pacheco stopped Jared Chauvin in the 1st round.

Robinson pressured Kelly throughout most of the contest, and had Kelly in the corner or against the ropes as he came forward behind combinations.  Kelly was resigned to throwing mostly one-shot at a time, and Robinson looked like he was building a comfortable lead on the scorecards.  In round seven, Kelly was cut over his left eye.  In round ten, Kelly was cut around the right  eye. Kelly needed to sweep the final round just to have the scores read 96-94 for Kelly and 95-95 twice,

This is the 2nd consecutive draw for Robinson, who drew with WBO number-one ranked Egidijus Kavaliauskas on March 30th.  Robinson who has shown no-fear in fighting anyone in the welterweight division, as he took on Kelly, who was a 2016 Olympian and came in with a perfect record of 9-0 and was ranked number-nine by the WBA.

With the draw, Robinson, who himself is ranked number-13 by the WBC is 24-3-2.

“He’s the champ, and they said that you have to outwork the champ, and I feel that’s what I did.  He did a lot of moving his body and head.  I stalked him.  The brought a pup to a dogfight, and I did what I was supposed to do to get the “W”.  I thought I pulled it out.  I am in the sport to take chances.  I fight on other promoter’s cards.  If they think they are the best, I want them to prove it to me,” said Robinson.

Pacheco, of Los Angeles, was the number-one ranked amateur in the United States and Mexico, dropped Chauvin with a hard right hand to gain his 2nd consecutive opening round round, and subsequently raised his perfect mark to 4-0 with three knockouts.
WATCH PACHECO’S 1ST ROUND KO

NEW YORK (June 1, 2019) –Tonight, at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, two members of the Split-T Management boxing stable will be in action on the much anticipated Anthony Joshua – Andy Ruiz Jr. card.

In a 10-round welterweight bout, Ray Robinson takes on highly regarded and undefeated Josh Kelly for the WBA International title. In a four-round middleweight contest, 18 year-old prospect Diego Pacheco takes on Jared Chauvin.

Robinson of Philadelphia is looking to carry on the momentum of his last bout when he got a draw with number-one ranked Egidijus Kavaliauskas on March 30th in Robinson’s hometown of Philadelphia.

Ringsiders believed that Robinson deserved the nod in that contest. At Wednesday’s press conference Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn agreed, as he stated that he thought Robinson clearly won the fight.

Robinson, 33,is ranked number-13 by the WBC, knows that a win over Kelly will put him at the head of the class to gain a world title shot as he already has wins over Roberto Acevedo (2-0-1), Darnell Jiles Jr. (8-0-1), Terrance Cauthen (36-7), Alberto Morales (11-1), Ray Narh (26-2), Aslanbek Kozoev (25-0-1) & Sherzodbek Alimjanov (22-2).

Kelly of England is 9-0 with six knockouts, and is ranked number-nine by the WBA has achieved that ranking on the strength of wins over Jay Byrne (4-1), Jony Vina (6-1), Tom Whitfield (4-1), Jose Luis Zuniga (13-2-1), Kris George (14-1), Walter Fabian Castillo (13-2) and his last bout when he won a 10-round unanimous decision over Przemyslaw Runowski (17-0) on April 20th in London.

Robinson weighed 146 lbs. at Friday’s weigh-in. Kelly checked in at 146.4 lbs.

Pacheco of Las Angles is 3-0 with two knockouts scored, an explosive win in his American and hometown debut, when he blasted out Guillermo Maldonado on April 26th in Inglewood, California.

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Pacheco of Los Angeles was the number-one middleweight in both the United States and Mexico.

Pacheco, who is promoted by Matchroom Boxing, was a 2017 National Junior Golden Gloves champion, and the 2018 United States Junior Olympic National champion.

This will be Chauvin’s 3rd undefeated opponent in his last four fights, and he holds a win over Sinan Fradi (5-0) on July 13th, 2018.

Pacheco topped the scales at 164.2 lbs. Chauvin was 163 lbs.

The fights can be seen Live on DAZN and Sky Sports Box Office beginning at 5:30 PM ET.

NEW YORK (April 29, 2019) Teenage phenom, Diego Pacheco made an emphatic American debut by stopping previously undefeated Guillermo Maldonado the opening frame of their scheduled four-round middleweight bout on Friday night at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Pacheco, 18 years-old, fought in his hometown of Los Angeles, and he did not disappoint.

After landing several hard right hands that rocked the head of Maldonado, Pacheco landed a thunderous left hook that dropped Maldonado hard to the canvas. The bout was immediately waved off at 1:46.

Pacheco, 161.8 lbs is now 3-0 with two knockouts. Maldonado, 159 lbs of Seattle is 1-1.

Pacheco of Los Angeles was the number-one middleweight in both the United States and Mexico.

Pacheco, who is managed by Split-T Management and promoted by Matchroom Boxing, was a 2017 National Junior Golden Gloves champion, and the 2018 United States Junior Olympic National champion.

Juan Francisco Estrada won the WBC Super Flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in a rematch at The Forum in Ingleoowd, California.

Estrada dominated as he was sharp by landing hard shots with both hands. Rungvisai landed some shots, but it was few and far between action led by by Estrada.

Rungvisai made a late-go of it, but Estrada was too far ahead on the cards, and won by tallies of 116-112 and 115-113 twice.

Estrada, 114.6 lbs of Hermosillo, MEX is 39-3. Rungvisai, 114.2 lbs lbs of Si Sa Ket, THA is 47-5-1.

Danny Roman used two knockdowns to unify his WBA and the IBF Super Bantamweight title with a 12-round majority decision over TJ Doheny.

In round two, Roman dropped Doheny with a left hook. In round four, Doheny began to bleed from his nose. In the next round, he had swelling from around his left eye.

In round seven, Doheny landed a series of power punches that hurt Roman. In round nine, a big left hook buckled Doheny. In round 11, Roman sent Doheny t a knee with a hard left hook to the body.

Roman, 121.2 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 116-110 twice 113-113 and is now 27-2-1. Doheny, 121.8 lbs of Bondi Junction, AUS is 21-1.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Roman, who is promoted by Thompson Boxing and Matchroom Boxing. “I love challenges like these. TJ put up a great fight, but I was too much for him. I knocked him down early, late and roughed him up in the middle. It’s crazy now that I think about it. This is what I wanted, to unify the division. I’m looking forward to celebrating with my team and enjoying this for a while.”

In a battle of former world champion, Jessie Vargas stopped Humberto Soto in round six of their scheduled six-round junior middleweight bout.

In round two, Vargas was cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt. There were several furious exchanges throughout the fight.

In round six, Vargas landed a perfect right hand that sent Soto to the canvas. Vargas finished the fight by landing several flush shots that snapped the head back of Soto, and the fight was stopped at 1:48.

Vargas, 150.4 lbs of Las Vegas is 29-2-2 with 11 knockouts. Soto, 150.4 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 69-10-2.

Anthony Sims Jr. won a 10-round unanimous decision over Vaughn Alexander in a super middelweight bout.

Sims, 168 lbs of Plainfield, IN won by scores of 98-92 and 96-94 twice and is now 19-0. Alexander, 166.6 lbs of St. Louis, MO is now 14-3.

Diego Pacheo remained undefeated with a vicious 1st round stoppage over Guillermo Maldsonado in a middleweight bout.

After landing several hard right hands that rocked the head of Maldonado, Pacheco landed a thunderous left hook that dropped Maldonado hard to the canvas, and the bout was stopped at 1:46.

Pacheco, 161.8 lbs of Los Angeles is 3-0 with two knockouts. Maldonado, 159 lbs of Seattle, WA is 1-1.

Shakhram Giysaov won a 10-round unanimous decision over Emanuel Taylor in a junior welterweight bout

In round one, Taylor hurt Giysov badly with a hard left hook to the chin. Taylor hurt Giyasov again in round four, but the judges barley gave Taylor any credit as two cards read 99-91 twice and 98-92 for Giyasov.

Giyasov, 139.6 lbs of Bukhara, UZB is 8-0. Taylor, 138.6 lbs of Edgewood Arsenal, MD is 20-6.

Austin Williams made a successful pro debut with a 1st round stoppage over Joel Guevara in a scheduled four round middleweight bout.

Williams dropped Guevara once and finished him with a hard flurry at 2:06

Williams, 159 lbs of Houston is 1-0 with one knockout. Guevara, 158 lbs of West Virginia is 3-5-1.

Pacheco, 2-0 with one knockout will make his home debut as the Los Angeles native has won his first two contests in Mexico.

Pacheco will be taking on his 2nd consecutive undefeated foe as he is coming off a four-round unanimous decision over Felix Aguilar on February 23rd.

Pacheco of Los Angeles was the number-one middleweight in both the United States and Mexico.

Pacheco was a 2017 National Junior Golden Gloves champion, and the 2018 United States Junior Olympic National champion.

Pacheco, 18 years-old made his professional debut on December 22nd with a 1st round stoppage over veteran Luis Gonzalez.

Pacheco was 161.8 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in while Maldonado (1-0) of Seattle, Washington was 159.

Pacheco is managed by Split-T Management and is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Photos by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing USA

NEW YORK (February 23, 2019)-Eight-time national amateur champion and now undefeated professional Diego Pacheco will see action tonight as he takes on fellow undefeated Alberto Aguilar in a middleweight bout at Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana, Mexico.

Pacheco of Los Angeles was the number-one middleweight in both the United States and Mexico.

Pacheco was a 2017 National Junior Golden Gloves champion, and the 2018 United States Junior Olympic National champion.

Pacheco, 17 years-old made his professional debut on December 22nd with a 1st round stoppage over veteran Luis Gonzalez.

In Aguilar he is taking on a foe who also is 1-0 with a 1st round knockout to his credit.

“Since the amateurs I’ve been fighting in Tijuana, and it feels great to get back there for my second pro fight,” said Pacheco.

“I’m tall and I have long reach so I like to keep my distance, but I also like to walk them down. Everyone’s told me I hit pretty hard. I feel like I’m a power puncher, but I stay within a distance. I don’t like to smother myself.”

“By the end of this year, I just want to get as much experience as I can. I’m only 17 so there’s no rush. Personally, I have a lot of guys that I want to get. I just want to put a good few first fights in and just take over when the time is right, I have a great team around me and we won’t be rushed.”

Pacheco is managed by Split-T Management, and is promoted by Matchroom Boxing. Pacheco’s fight with Aguilar will be streamed live on DAZN beginning at 7 PM ET.

Diego Pacheco is relishing a busy year in the pros as he fights for the second time in the paid ranks at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez in Tijuana, Mexico on Saturday night, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW PRICED FROM $165 (MEXICAN PESOS) HERE

Pacheco made his pro debut in style at the same venue in December, stopping Luis Gonzalez inside the opening round to give an early glimpse of his massive promise.

The rangy 17 year old left the amateur scene with a glut of titles to his name and the number one rated Middleweight in America and Mexico, and the Los Angeles starlet is looking to get more rounds and experience under his belt as he enters his first full year as a pro.

“I’m excited to get back out so soon,” said Pacheco, who faces Alberto Aguilar (1-0 1KO). “Since the amateurs I’ve been fighting in Tijuana, and it feels great to get back there for my second pro fight.

“I love being at home. I’ve been at camps in other places but it doesn’t feel the same. I can go home and I just rest.

“The debut was a really good experience. It was nothing like I expected, turning from amateur to pro, but it was a great experience and I can’t wait to do it again.

“In my first fight I felt like was a little nervous, so I felt like I was holding back a little bit, this fight I want to let my hands go a little more. It was towards the end of the round where I started letting my hands go, and that’s where I hit him and dropped him.

“I’m tall and I have long reach so I like to keep my distance, but I also like to walk them down. Everyone’s told me I hit pretty hard. I feel like I’m a power puncher, but I stay within a distance. I don’t like to smother myself.

“There’s no-one that’s signed with Matchroom Boxing USA from my area. So everywhere I go, they’re like ‘Oh he’s signed with Eddie Hearn, he’s with Matchroom and DAZN’. Everyone here is signed to other promoters, but it’s different to be signed with Eddie. I feel great that I’ve signed with Matchroom, I feel like it was a great decision, and I feel like I have a lot off opportunity to be great with Matchroom.

“By the end of this year, I just want to get as much experience as I can. I’m only 17 so there’s no rush. Personally, I have a lot of guys that I want to get. I just want to put a good few first fights in and just take over when the time is right, I have a great team around me and we won’t be rushed.”

Pacheco’s second outing as a pro is part of a huge night of action in Mexico as Brandon Rios and Humberto Soto clash in an all-Mexican affair, in association with Zanfer and Paco Presents.

There’s a stacked undercard in support of the main event, led by the rematch between Jose ‘Gallito’ Quiniro (20-2-3 9KOs) and Joel Cordoba (7-4-2 1KO). The Mexicans shared a draw in a Christmas cracker in December and will return to the same venue as that clash to find a winner this time.

Alexis Espino makes his professional debut on the card, with the 19 year old Las Vegas native and decorated amateur itching to get life in the pro game underway on a proud night for his Mexican family.

A trio of unbeaten Mexicans complete the current line-up in the shape of 2016 Olympian Joselito Velasquez (7-0 6KOs), Omar ‘Pollo’ Aguilar (11-0 10KOs) and Sulem Urbina (8-0 1KO).

Teen sensation Diego Pacheco is ‘thrilled’ to be making his professional debut on Saturday night in Tijuana, Mexico.

Pacheco penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing USA and now the Los Angeles talent, who cleaned up in the amateur ranks as an eight-time national champion and number one ranked Middleweight in both America and Mexico, begins life in the paid ranks ahead of Christmas.

The 17 year old turned over on the back of recent stand out victories in the 2017 National Junior Golden Gloves and the 2018 USA Junior Olympic Nationals, and Pacheco is itching to begin his journey and transfer his amateur success into professional titles.

“This is what I’ve been training for my whole life for,” said Pacheco. “I am ready to show the world what I can do in the pro ranks and I am thrilled that I am starting my journey in Mexico this weekend.

“I have a lot of growing to do both as a person and physically as a man so there is no rush, but I want to be busy in 2019 and get as much experience as I can.”

“I’m really excited for Diego to kick off his pro career on Saturday in Mexico,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “At 17, we are restricted in terms of where he can box but once he turns 18 in March you will see him box all over the world. He truly is one of Mexico’s emerging stars and at 6ft 3in is going to be a real handful in the division – enjoy watching this young man!”

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing USA are delighted to announce that teen amateur sensation Diego Pacheco has signed a long-term promotional deal.

The Los Angeles starlet swept the board in the amateur ranks as an eight-time national champion and number one ranked Middleweight in both America and Mexico.

The 17 year old made the decision to move into the paid ranks and sign with Hearn, Matchroom Boxing USA and fighting on DAZN on the back of recent stand out victories in the 2017 National Junior Golden Gloves and the 2018 USA Junior Olympic Nationals.

Pacheco will debut later in the year and the rangy teen is thrilled to be turning over with Hearn and begin his journey to the top of the paid ranks on DAZN.

“Eddie Hearn is a complete addition to my team,” said Pacheco. “I have everything in place now to begin my professional career. I can’t wait for my professional debut later in the year, live on DAZN!”

“I’m so pleased to sign one of the hottest young prospects in world boxing in Diego Pacheco,” said Hearn. “He has an incredible amateur pedigree and even at such a young age has all the attributes and tools to become a huge star in the sport.

“We plan to bid him all over the world and let him progress at the right pace to mound him into an elite fighter. We have a proven track record in taking amateur stars to World titles and I truly believe Diego will become a multi-weight World champion.”

“After fielding offers from some of the sports biggest promoters these past several months, Team Pacheco and I are very pleased to be with Matchroom Boxing,” said Pacheco’s manager Tim Van Newhouse.

“Eddie and I were able to broker a rewarding package for Diego’s future. We share similar visions on Diego’s development and have similar projections for his career. I’m excited to forge ahead on this new journey with Eddie Hearn, his staff, and everyone at DAZN.”