5 talking points ahead of the Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson card

Diego Pacheco

TONIGHT sees Diego Pacheco, 22-0 (18 KOs), attempt to defend his position of WBO mandatory challenger against game contender Steven Nelson, 20-0 (16 KOs), in a battle between two undefeated super-middleweights. Boxing News looked at some key talking points ahead of the bill as the clock ticks down towards the opening bell.


Can Nishant Dev Be Indiaโ€™s Poster Boy?

Earlier this month it was revealed that Indian amateur sensation Nishant Dev (debut) had signed a deal with Matchroom Boxing and that he was to be managed by Brian Peters, manager of the legendary Katie Taylor.

Dev was knocked out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by eventual silver medallist Marco Verde last year but does boast a prior win over Verde, as well as triumphs over the likes of Lewis Richardson and Eskerkhan Madiev and a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships.

Dev could rematch another recent Matchroom signing in Omari Jones down the line, after the American defeated him in an Olympic qualifier last March, but first the 24-year-old southpaw will debut on Saturday night against fellow lefty Alton Wiggins, 1-0-1 (0 KOs) in a six-round super-welterweight affair.

With India yet to produce a full world champion in the sport, despite being the most populous country on the planet, Dev could soon prove to be the man for his nation to get behind and a strong showing here would go a long way in helping the youngster to build a following. 

nishant dev
Nishant Dev

Can Ernesto Mercado Be a Serious Contender in The Immediate Future?

Californiaโ€™s Ernesto Mercado, 16-0 (15 KOs), has proven that he has the knockout power to cause anybody at super-lightweight an issue, but it remains to be seen whether he has the skills to go all the way.

In 16 contests, โ€˜Titoโ€™ has gone past the third round on just three occasions and boasts early wins over well-respected contenders in Henry โ€˜Hankโ€™ Lundy and Jeremia Nakathila, but he is yet to face a former world champion.

At 23 years old, Mercado has time on his side, but it seems as though he is willing to step up in levels right now. On Saturday night, he will be tasked with two-division world champion Josรฉ Pedraza (29-6-1), who has only lost to elite fighters and has only been stopped by Gervonta Davis and Keyshawn Davis.ย 

Regardless of the fact that Pedraza is without a win in his last four outings, a knockout win for Mercado would be an impressive one and further cement opinions that he could rise into world title contention in the near future.

ernesto mercado
Ernesto Mercado

Is Andy Cruz ready to take over from Vasyl Lomachenko this early in his career?

Few amateurs have turned professional with as much expectancy as Andy Cruz, 4-0 (2 KOs). Reigning IBF lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, 18-3 (12 KOs), is one scarce exception. After just four professional bouts, Cuba’s Cruz is rated at #5 in the IBF ratings and could find himself challenging for world honours by the end of the year.

Rumours of Lomachenkoโ€™s potential retirement continue to swirl with a decision expected imminently. Regardless, the IBF have ordered a meeting between Zaur Abdullaev and Raymond Muratalla for the IBF interim title, which would assumably be for full world honours if โ€˜Lomaโ€™ decides to hang up the gloves.

Meanwhile, Cruz will take on Omar Salcido Gomez, 20-1 (14 KOs), on the Pacheco-Nelson bill and a victory would tee him up nicely for the victor of Abdullaev-Muratalla, in a potential world title bid. However, the question remains as to whether five professional outings would be enough experience for Cruz to jump into a world title fight.

andy cruz
Andy Cruz

Is Steven Nelson being overlooked?

Steven Nelson, 20-0 (16 KOs) has openly admitted that he โ€˜cannot afford to loseโ€™ in the highlight attraction this weekend, as he seeks to spring the upset and assume position as WBO mandatory challenger.

Training under Brian โ€˜BoMacโ€™ McIntyre alongside pound-for-pounder superstar and fellow Omaha native Terence Crawford, 41-0 (31 KOs), Nelson remains undefeated at 36 years old and has had to overcome plenty of hardships to get to where he is today. From being deployed in the US Special Forces in Afghanistan to suffering a potential career-ending injury, Nelson has proven time and time again that he can overcome the obstacles.

This weekend, the obstacle in his way is a tough one in 23-year-old Diego Pacheco, 22-0 (18 KOs), although the reward is fruitful. Should Nelson defeat the Californian, he would become the frontrunner for a shot at Canelo Alvarez, 60-2-2 (39 KOs), and the unified super-middleweight titles in May, as well as the opportunity to disrupt the Mexicanโ€™s plans to face Crawford later this year.

Cutting a determined figure during the build-up, Nelson appears sure of himself and can be expected to cause issues for Pacheco, with trainer McIntyre also presumably keen to win here with Nelson and then possibly take on Canelo in back-to-back fights during 2025.

steven nelson
Steven Nelson

Is Diego Pacheco Prepared for A Shot At Canelo Alvarez?

When Diego Pacheco became the mandatory challenger, promoter Eddie Hearn admitted that he may not be ready for Canelo just yet, but also detailed that if the lucrative โ€˜lottery ticketโ€™ fight was called, then they would have no choice but to accept.

Since then, the undefeated prospect became the first to stop Maciej Sulecki (32-3) and did so in an eye-catching fashion, but this weekendโ€™s scrap with Nelson is expected to be more difficult.

With Caneloโ€™s annual Cinco De Mayo appearance, the likely destination for the winner of Pacheco-Nelson, a convincing win for Pacheco would not only build his confidence ahead of an intimidating meeting with the WBC, WBO & WBA champion, it would also help sell the fight for what could otherwise be deemed as a one-sided encounter.

A win for Pacheco would be good, but a statement win would be great. Pacheco-Nelson takes place on Saturday, January 25 at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas and the full card can be watched live on DAZN. 

diego pacheco
Diego Pacheco

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