Diego Pacheco entered the ring with confidence, hoping to maintain his unbeaten streak against Steven Nelson. The fight took place on January 25, 2025, at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacheco, boasting a record of 23 wins and no losses, faced off against 36-year-old Nelson, who had previously been undefeated with 20 wins to his name. The atmosphere was electric, as boxing fans around the world tuned in to watch the event live on DAZN.
The early rounds of the match were characterized by strategic distance and jabbing. Despite the pressure from Nelson, Pacheco managed to keep control for the most part. Nelson began strongly, utilizing his aggression to push Pacheco back. Both fighters were careful, probing for weaknesses, yet neither managed to land significant punches during the first few rounds. That all changed in the fourth round, when Pacheco delivered a powerful right hand, resulting in a cut above Nelson’s left eye. This injury marked the turning point of the fight.
From the fourth round onward, Pacheco began to assert his dominance. “I felt good, man,” Pacheco said after the fight. “Steven Nelson is a great fighter. It wasn’t my best performance, but we did what we had to do to get the win.” With each passing round, Pacheco’s confidence grew as he landed increasingly impactful punches, forcing Nelson to retreat under the pressure.
Despite the blood flowing from the cut over Nelson's eye, he displayed remarkable grit and determination. He continued to push forward, trying to engage Pacheco, but the younger boxer’s reach and height offered him significant advantages. Pacheco, standing at six feet four inches, was able to use his overhand right and right uppercut as effective weapons against the shorter Nelson.
The judges scored the fight 117-111 across the board, with Pacheco clinching victory as he showcased his power, particularly during rounds five to ten. “These are the fights you learn from the most,” Pacheco reflected post-fight. Fueled by the challenge, he put on display his skill set, throwing combinations and landing hard shots. Nelson appeared to be fading but never gave up.
Nelson, who had fought infrequently over the last five years, rallied strongly during the 11th and 12th rounds, proving he still had plenty of fight left. “Man, I prepared for everything but I didn’t prepare to get cut,” Nelson said afterward. “So when I felt the blood coming down, it got in my eye, and I started seeing yellow, I was like 'aw damn' and it just threw my whole gameplan off.” His tenacity shone through as he sought to land one final knockout punch, bringing the crowd to their feet.
While both fighters had their moments, Pacheco's performance has set him firmly on the path to contend for the world title. He is now ranked No. 1 contender by the WBO and is eyeing potential bouts with notable fighters, including the division's champion, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. Pacheco stated, “Any guys in the top 5 can get it,” conveying his readiness to face the best opponents available.
Following the Pacheco-Nelson fight, the card featured other thrilling bouts. Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz defeated Omar Salcido by unanimous decision, extending his record to 5-0. Ernesto Mercado claimed victory via fourth-round TKO against José Pedraza, and more matches showcased up-and-coming fighters eager to make their mark.
Overall, the Pacheco versus Nelson bout proved to be not only pivotal for Pacheco's career but also showcased the resilience of both fighters. Pacheco demonstrated hay he could withstand pressure and adapt his strategy mid-fight. The high stakes of the super middleweight division are now at his doorstep, and the boxing community eagerly anticipates his next moves.