Robinson, Pacheco in action on Joshua-Ruiz
Tonight, at the world’s most famous arena, Ray Robinson takes on highly regarded and undefeated Josh Kelly for the WBA International title In a 10-round welterweight bout. In a four-round middleweight contest, 18-year-old prospect Diego Pacheco takes on Jared Chauvin. Both men are in action on the much anticipated Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Jr. card, which starts on the streaming service DAZN and Sky Sports beginning at 5:30 p.m.
(All photo credits Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing)
Robinson of Philadelphia is looking to build off on the momentum of his last bout when he fought to a draw with number-one ranked Egidijus Kavaliauskas on March 30th in Robinson’s hometown of Philadelphia.
Robinson, 33, is currently ranked number-13 by the WBC, knows that a win over Kelly will put him ahead in the ranks 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 for the fight. Kelly himself checked in at 146.4 pounds.
Pacheco of Las Angles is 3-0 with two knockouts scored, an explosive win in his American and hometown debut when he knocked out Guillermo Maldonado on April 26th in Inglewood, California.
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 contest will be Chauvin’s 3rd undefeated opponent in his last four fights, and he held a win over Sinan Fradi (5-0) on July 13th, 2018.
Pacheco topped the scales at 164.2 lbs. Chauvin was 163 lbs.
