Diego Pacheco has his sights set on a major super middleweight clash in 2026, naming Jaime Munguia as the opponent he hopes to face next. Speaking after his latest victory in Stockton, California, the unbeaten contender made it clear he believes he is now ready for elite-level opposition.
Pacheco improved to 25-0 (18 KOs) on Saturday night with a 12-round unanimous decision win over Kevin Sadjo at the Adventist Health Arena. The bout marked a key moment in his development, as Pacheco was forced to deal with adversity for the first time as a professional after being knocked down in the eighth round by Sadjo. Despite the setback, he regrouped and closed the fight strongly.
The 24-year-old Los Angeles native said the idea of fighting Munguia carries personal significance. He recalled asking Munguia for a photo as a young amateur and now feels he has reached the level required to share the ring with him as a professional. Pacheco previously appeared on a Munguia-headlined card in September 2019, when he stopped Terry Fernandez.
Promoter Eddie Hearn echoed that confidence, suggesting the matchup makes sense and could take place in Los Angeles. Hearn praised Pacheco’s performance against Sadjo, highlighting how he responded under pressure and pushed for a stoppage late in the fight. He compared the outing to Jaron Ennis’ competitive rematch with Karen Chukhadzhian, which preceded Ennis stepping up to a higher level.
Pacheco’s momentum in 2025 has been notable, with three fights and wins over two previously unbeaten opponents in Steven Nelson and Sadjo, along with a victory over Trevor McCumby. Currently ranked inside the top 10 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, Pacheco says he is ready for anyone in the division and believes his latest performance proved he can handle adversity and different styles at the highest level.
Image Credit: Ready To Fight