DIEGO PACHECO has decided to end his working relationship with trainer and manager Jose Benavidez Sr, perhaps hoping that the departure will bolster his chances of becoming a world champion.
While that may be the case, it must be said that their long-term partnership has garnered nothing but success, with Pacheco, 24-0 (18 KOs), having cemented himself as one of the leading operators at 168lbs.
The young boxer-puncher recently emerged as the WBO’s number-one ranked contender, only to be leapfrogged by super-middleweight rival Hamzah Sheeraz and, oddly enough, Canelo Alvarez, who somehow became the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger following his comprehensive defeat to Terence Crawford last month.
But regardless of that, Pacheco is considered one of the more accomplished names in his division, where several elite competitors, including the likes of Christian Mbilli, Lester Martinez and Osleys Iglesias, are all jostling for position beneath undisputed king Crawford.
As for Pacheco, there has been no indication as to where he will land following his split from Benavidez, who insists that the 24-year-old left his gym on amicable terms.
“I believe that it’s for the best,” Benavidez told FightHype. “We sat down, we talked on good terms, and ended things great.
“I had two more fights with him and he said he wanted his contract [terminated]. I was super happy to give him his contract back.
“I want the best for him and just want to see him as a world champion.”
Benavidez currently finds himself in the thick of a training camp with his son, David Benavidez, who will defend his WBC world light-heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde on November 22.
Pacheco, meanwhile, is seemingly set to return to action later this year following his unanimous decision victory over Trevor McCumby in July.
Prior to that, the Californian amassed solid victories over Steven Nelson and Maciej Sulecki, who he halted in the sixth round, while an announcement regarding his new trainer, and indeed an opponent for his next outing, is expected to arrive before long.
