Diego Pacheco Remains Unbeaten Despite Late Steven Nelson Surge

Diego Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) had to deal with a late surge from Steven Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs) in order to get the unanimous decision victory.

Scores were 117-111 across the board. With the victory, Pacheco remains on the path to a world title in the super middleweight division. Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez holds the WBC, WBA and WBO titles in that weight class. William Scullis the IBF champion.

Pacheco-Nelson headlined a Matchroom Boxing card at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NV. Fight fans around the world could catch the action live on DAZN.

Diego Pacheco Remains Unbeaten Despite Late Steven Nelson Surge

Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson Fight Recap

The early rounds saw both fighters generally staying at range of each other. From time to time one of them would commit on a power shot, but it was mostly a battle of the jabs. This favoured Nelson and he was mostly in control. However, in round four he got hit with a straight right that caused a cut over his left eye.

From then on, Pacheco began outworking his opponent and was gradually breaking him down. Blood continued to pour from Nelson’s cut and he struggled to put up an offence that could in any way trouble his younger opponent. With Pacheco continuing to land hard punches without much difficulty, it felt the end of the fight was near.

Pacheco goes to work! 💥#PachecoNelson | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/gkG6L4oTo7

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 26, 2025

Despite getting hit repeatedly with punches that would knock most people down, Nelson at no point gave up. In rounds 11 and 12, “So Cold” did what he could to get the knockout. In spite of his best efforts, Pacheco remained on his feet and made it to the final bell before being awarded the victory via unanimous decision.

Post-fight Interview

Diego Pacheco

🗣️ “Any guys in the top 5 can get it” ⚠️ @realdpacheco #PachecoNelson | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/dk2Q58Jndy

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 26, 2025

Steven Nelson

“Man, I prepared for everything but I didn’t prepare to get cut,” said Nelson. “So when I felt the blood coming down and it got in my eye I started seeing yellow, I was like ‘aw damn’ and it just threw my whole gameplan off. That’s what it was.”

Undercard Results

DAZN Broadcast

Andy Cruz (5-0, 2 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Omar Salcido (20-2, 14 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight contest. Scores were 99-91 and 98-92.

Ernesto Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) won via fourth round technical knockout against José Pedraza (29-7-1, 14 KOs). The official time of stoppage for this 10-round super lightweight bout was 2:08. In the fourth, Pedraza went down from a left hook followed by a right hook. Though he made it to his feet, the fight was waved off as he was deemed unable to continue.

Read More: Unbeaten Super Lightweight Sensation Joins Matchroom Boxing

Opening the broadcast on DAZN, Leonardo Rubalcava (9-0-1, 3 KOs) and Israel Mercado (11-1-2, 7 KOs) fought to a majority draw. While one judge saw Mercado winning 76-74, the other two had the eight-round super lightweight clash 75-75. In the opening round, Mercado was knocked down by a straight right hand (it was originally ruled a slip, but later changed to a knockdown before round two began). He also lost a point in the seventh for a low blow.

Before the Bell

On a portion of the undercard that was available to watch on YouTube, Nishant Dev (1-0, 1 KO) won via first round technical knockout against Alton Wiggins (1-1-1, 0 KOs). The official time of stoppage for this six-round super welterweight fight was 2:48. A left hand sent Wiggins down for the first time. Shortly after, a right hook followed by a left hook sent him down for a second time. Wiggins fell to the canvas a third and fourth time, but both were ruled slips. However, referee Robert Hoyle waved off the contest after the last slip as he deemed Wiggins to be in no position to continue.

Read More: Matchroom Boxing Signs Nishant Dev: A New Era for Indian Boxing

Harley Mederos (8-0, 7 KOs) won via third round knockout against Arturo de Isla (5-3-1, 4 KOs). The official time of stoppage for this six-round lightweight clash was 1:27. An overhand right followed by a left hook had de Isla on the canvas in the third, causing an immediate end to proceedings. He remained down for some time but was eventually able to get up and leave the ring.

Opening the “Before the Bell” portion of the undercard, Zaquin Moses (2-0, 1 KO) won via first round stoppage against Mario Garcia (3-1, 3 KOs). The official time of stoppage for this four-round super featherweight bout was 3:00. Garcia appeared to have injured his right arm and withdrew from the contest before the second round could begin.