Diego Pacheco's rising talent will take center stage on September 7, as he headlines a super middleweight bout at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The Los Angeles-born Pacheco is in negotiations with France’s Kevin Lele Sadjo for the DAZN-streamed event.
Pacheco, 23, has recently climbed to the No. 1 contender spot in the World Boxing Organization rankings following his unanimous decision victory over Shawn McCalman on April 16 in Las Vegas. Before that bout, the Matchroom-promoted fighter had produced five consecutive knockouts or stoppages, boosting his exposure and bringing him closer to a title shot.
Watch Pacheco vs. McCalman highlights: Watch
The super middleweight division is crowded, especially behind undisputed champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Alvarez is expected to request an exception to pursue a bout against his WBA mandatory, Edgar Berlanga, while IBF mandatory William Scull waits in line. Pacheco is trained by Jose Benavidez Sr., who also trains David Benavidez, one of Alvarez's most high-profile mandatories.
"With Diego, we’re still out to prove ourselves, so in one or two more fights, we’ll be ready [to fight for the belt]. I want him to fight guys like [Jaime] Munguia and Berlanga."
Pacheco was previously in talks with Canada's Erik Bazinyan, but following Bazinyan's draw against Shakeel Phinn on May 2, interest in that fight has waned. Sadjo, 34, has fought his last six bouts in France and, standing at 5-foot-8, will give up eight inches in height and an 11-inch reach advantage to the 6-foot-4 Pacheco. The bout will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park, known for hosting many epic fights, including those featuring Timothy Bradley Jr., Ruslan Provodnikov, Lucas Matthysse, and Brandon Rios.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing