Steven Nelson’s trainer Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre says top-ranked super middleweight opponent Diego Pacheco is “an amazing boxer, but he just has to wait his turn.” BoMac wants the 23-year-old Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs) and his team to know that his time has not yet come. He just has to wait in line.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
Pacheco and Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) will square off this Saturday, January 25th at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas. The event will be shown live on DAZN. In the co-main event, 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz takes on Omar Salcido in a 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator.
Eddie Hearn: “BoMac, this is the guy you’ve been yelling about for a long time. Terence was saying, ‘Give this guy a chance. He is a world-class champion.’ The moment is here on Saturday night, a real fight, and a big fight at that. I know you guys really like this,” promoter Hearn said during today final press conference for Saturday night’s event on DAZN.
Coach Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre: “We are ready. We’re never on the B side, but that’s okay. We will accept the challenge.”
Hearn: “You’ve been on both sides of the spectrum of fighters coming through. Now you have a guy who never got a chance [Nelson]. He’s an older guy and it has to happen to him now. He is undefeated, 20-0. On the other hand, a young man [Pacheco]which looks like it’s been tested, but it’s never actually been tested.
“Obviously, the plan is to test it. What’s the difference between these two guys and why does your answer win Saturday night?”
BoMac: “Both are great fighters, and he has a great trainer, Benavidez’s dad [Jose Sr.] But what makes Steven a little different is probably that IQ, and will and determination. Now, kid [Pacheco] is young. He’s a great boxer, but he just has to wait his turn.”
Hearn: “I know his [Nelson] pedigree in the gym. He is a bit older than him. How bad does he want it on Saturday night?”
BoMac: “See. “
Coach Jose Benavidez Sr.: “We have to make a statement. I know that Diego is ready to take on 168, and on Saturday everyone will see the new face of boxing.”
Hearn: “Steve Nelson may not be the biggest name in the world, but everyone knows how good he is. Some will say, ‘Why Steven Nelson? Is it a dangerous fight?’ But we want real fights. We have to prove it.”
